133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
8 October 2021
Cameron Slater
By email: [FYI request #16708 email]
Ref:  H202112188
Tēnā koe Mr Slater
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 11 September
2021. Please find a response to each part of your request below:
“1. I seek the messaging and phone records of calls and messages (txt, Signal,
Whatsapp, Facebook messenger, or whatever means is used to communicate) between
Dr. Ashley Bloomfield and Dr. Siouxsie Wiles between 3 September 2021 and 11
September 2021.”
The Ministry has identified one document within the scope of this part of your request. This
document is attached as Document 1 and is a compilation of all text correspondence between
the Director-General of Health and Dr Siouxsie Wiles between the dates of 3 September 2021
and 11 September 2021.
I note there is a reference to you in one of the text messages. To clarify Dr Bloomfield’s intent:
this was to reassure Dr Siouxsie Wiles that your new blog The BFD has less reach than your
former blog Whale Oil.
“2. I seek any memoranda, notes, emails and phone and message records between Dr.
Ashley Bloomfield and ANY Government minister or staff member, especially between
him and the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and/or their staff regarding the
level four breaches of Dr.Siouxsie Wiles and Dr. Nicola Gaston.”
“3. I seek any internal communications regarding the same incident, including internal
advice regarding the public relations implications regarding this same incident.”
The information in these parts of your request is refused under section 18(g) of the Act, as the
information is not held by the Ministry and there are no grounds for believing it is held by
another agency subject to the Act.
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.

Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry of Health website at: www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases.

Nāku noa, nā

Sarah Turner
Deputy Director-General
Office of the Director-General
Page 2 of 2

Document 1
1982
ACT
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED

Document Outline