Victoria Muninn
[FYI request #16866 email]
4 November 2021
Dear Victoria Muninn
On 23 September 2021, you emailed the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry)
requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
•  All correspondence with Microsoft about the Be.Lab.
Please find all email chains held in scope of your request enclosed.
The contact details of some individuals are withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act in
order to protect the privacy of natural persons. The need to protect the privacy of these
individuals outweighs any public interest in this information. The principles and purposes
of the Act under which you made your request are:
•  to create greater openness and transparency about the plans, work and activities
of the Government
•  to increase the ability of the public to participate in the making and administration
of our laws and policies
•  to lead to greater accountability in the conduct of public affairs.
This Ministry fully supports those principles and purposes. The Ministry therefore intends
to make the information contained in this letter and any attached documents available to
the wider public. The Ministry will do this by publishing this letter and attachments on the
Ministry of Social Development’s website. Your personal details will be deleted and the
Ministry will not publish any information that would identify you as the  person who
requested the information.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email].

The Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, PO Box 1556, Wel ington  • Telephone 0-4-916 3300 • Facsimile 0-4-918 0099

If you are not satisfied with this response you have the right to seek an investigation and
review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
pp.

Amanda Nicolle
Director, Industry Partnerships
Service Delivery

From:
Chris Denly
To:
s9(2)(a)
Cc:
Geoff Curtis
Subject:
RE: MSD/MS Chat - Follow up
Date:
Monday, 9 March 2020 11:33:43 am
Hi s9(2)
My colleague Janet Akeripa has forwarded the below contact for you in regards to contacts in schools.
(a)
s9(2)  is happy for you to contact her directly. s9(2)  deals with Maori and Pacific students in south Auckland
secondary schools.
(a)
(a)
s9(2)(a)
More secondary school contacts from Flo Samuels. These people have the direct relationships with the high
school principals mostly in South and West Auckland.
s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
These people have the direct relationships with the high school principals mostly in South and West Auckland.
s9(2)
Geoff will be in Auckland next Wednesday 18 March it would be good for you to have a catch up with him re
(a)
the internship opportunities at Microsoft. I'll leave it with Geoff to coordinate with yourself and Be.Lab and
possibly s9(2)
(a)
Kind regards
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: s9(2)(a)
Sent: Friday, 28 February 2020 10:36 AM
To: Chris Denly s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
Subject: RE: MSD/MS Chat - Follow up
Kia ora Chris,
Thank you for the update on the awesome opportunities! In terms of the event on 5 May, I suggested to s9(2)
that we rename it DigiWāhine (which was an initiative a past intern intended on doing) and she said that's an
(a)
awesome name!
Yes - s9(  has taken over s9(2)(a)  role as the Accessibility pillar lead  I've added s9(2)  to this email.  Hi s9(
- see the below from Chris who works for MSD. Would be great to catch up with Geoff re Microsoft
2)
(a)
2)
internship/employment opportunities with Be.Lab!
s9(2  has been in the US this week so she will be delayed in her replies. s9(2)  - see the below for a possible
opportunity to collaborate.
)(a)
(a)
Let me know if there's anything you need from me.

Ngā mihi,
s9(2)
(a)
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Denly s9(2)(a)
Sent: Thursday, 27 February 2020 12:38 PM
To: s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: MSD/MS Chat - Follow up
Hi s9(2)
I spoke to Be.Lab yesterday. They have a new employment manager starting this Monday (
(a)
s9(2)  is her name) I
have stressed I need some urgency over following up with Microsoft opportunities It would be great to catch up
(a)
with s9(  (what's s9(2)  role in connection to Be.Lab ? has he taken over s9(2)(a)  role ) when our AM Geoff
is next in Auckland probably in the next couple of weeks. (Geoff manages the Be.Lab account)
2)
(a)
I spoke to my Director Amanda Nicolle about s9(2  and she would be really keen to have a discussion around
some work we are doing with a social enterprise in the East Coast region. It's on our radar and as soon as I have
)(a)
dates for the Hawkes Bay or if s9(2  is in Auckland let's have a coffee. Amanda is up here every week.
)(a)
I have updated Flo re the Auckland Digi Girls date 05 May so she is getting things moving her end. I need a bit
more context re schools so I can float this with some people.
Off to a staff forum it's going to be a long afternoon Regards Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: s9(2)(a)
Sent: Tuesday, 25 February 2020 4:57 PM
To: Chris Denly s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
Subject: MSD/MS Chat - Follow up
Kia ora Chris,
Thank you for catching up with me! Really insightful and I believe there is potential on aligning with our
Diversity and Inclusion strategy.
Bare with me, I'm more of a reflective thinker and I've digested what you've said and thought about the potential
initiatives that MSD can get involved in.
Accessibility
- Intern hiring programme (core priority) - let me know how the conversation with Be.Lab goes and when I
should introduce you to s9(
2)
- Invitation to a guest speaker who could share their personal story at one of our internal events e.g. lunch and
learn to showcase the impact/opportunity of Accessibility challenges
s9(2) , our Philanthropies lead (added into this email) has secured a grant for a mentorship programme, she
can talk to this point further.
(a)
Māori & Pasifika
- Coaching and mentoring programmes for your clients who are interested to tech as their pathway
- School Shadow Visits per quarter - I believe you have contacts/connections to students from high schools that
we are trying to attract
- Viaduct Village Careers Day - I've emailed the team that are organising the event and will let you know. I'll do
the write up for you via email so you can circulate it to your contacts
Question:
With the frameworks that you have in place in MSD, how can we leverage what initiatives you are currently
doing amongst other organisations that you?

Do think of us if you think there is any room for opportunity to collaborate! I've added s9( and s9( , who lead
our Māori & Pasifika team.
2)
2)
Thanks,
s9(2)
(a)
-------------------------------
This email and any attachments may contain information that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. If
you are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this email and
attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the author immediately and
erase all copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of Social Development accepts no responsibility for
changes made to this message or attachments after transmission from the Ministry.
-------------------------------

From:
s9(2)(a)
To:
Chris Denly; s9(2)(a)
Cc:
Geoff Curtis
Subject:
RE: MSD/MS Chat - Follow up
Date:
Monday, 9 March 2020 2:01:35 pm
Hi Chris,
Thank you so much - I've forwarded the list of contacts to people in our Māori & Pasifika pillar who are in
charge of organising the internal school shadow visits
s9(2) has scheduled a meeting with Be.Lab this week so he can be in touch with Geoff after this depending on
the outcome of the meeting.
(a)
Speak soon,
s9(2)
(a)
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Denly <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 9 March 2020 11:34 AM
To s9(2)(a)
Cc: Geoff Curtis <[email address] nz>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: MSD/MS Chat - Follow up
Hi s9(2)
My colleague Janet Akeripa has forwarded the below contact for you in regards to contacts in schools.
(a)
s9(2) is happy for you to contact her directly. s9(2) deals with Maori and Pacific students in south Auckland
secondary schools.
(a)
(a)
s9(2)(a)
More secondary school contacts from Flo Samuels. These people have the direct relationships with the high
school principals mostly in South and West Auckland.
s9(2)(a)
| Principal Advisor Secondary Tertiary | Youth Guarantee s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
12-18 Normanby Road, Auckland
s9(2)(a)
| Principal Adviser - Secondary Transitions | s9(2)(a)
These people have the direct relationships with the high school principals mostly in South and West Auckland.
s9(2)
Geoff will be in Auckland next Wednesday 18 March it would be good for you to have a catch up with him re
(a)
the internship opportunities at Microsoft. I'll leave it with Geoff to coordinate with yourself and Be.Lab and
possibly s9(2)
(a)
Kind regards
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: s9(2)(a)

From:
Chris Denly
To:
Chris Denly
Subject:
FW: Big Thank you
Date:
Wednesday, 29 September 2021 12:22:09 pm
Attachments:
image004.jpg
image001.png

From: Chris Denly
Sent: Tuesday, 25 June 2019 11:46 AM
To: s9(2)(a)
Subject: RE: Big Thank you

Fantastic thanks for the update
Chris

From: s9(2)(a)

Sent: Tuesday, 25 June 2019 11:38 AM
To: Chris Denly
Subject: Re: Big Thank you

Hi Chris,

It was our pleasure - by the by.. I’m currently emailing you from the Be Accessible offices. I am
the Microsoft NZ Co lead for accessibility and helped to create the skills for employment
programme you’re running with them.

Am with them now reviewing opportunities to place candidates with employers and the
mentorship and skill up project we are running with the candidates.

Cheers
s9(2)(a)

Get Outlook for iOS
From: Chris Denly s9(2)(a)
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:09:28 AM
To: s9(2)(a)
Cc: Amanda Nicolle; s9(2)(a)
Subject: Big Thank you

Hi Guys
Thank you so much for accommodating the MSD Industry Partnership national team
this morning.
It was a great experience and quite an eye opener to see how things could work for us
and our regions nationally if we can flick that switch.

A great opportunity the team loved it
Kind regards

Chris

Chris Denly – Key Account Manager Corporate, Industry Partnerships
s9(2)(a)

Industry Partnerships, Ministry of Social Development, National Office
Building A 65 Main Highway Ellerslie.
Private Bag 68 911, Newton, Auckland 1051

MSD purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki tangata, manaaki whānau

------------------------------- This email and any attachments may contain information that is
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
dissemination, distribution or duplication of this email and attachments is prohibited. If
you have received this email in error please notify the author immediately and erase all
copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after transmission from the
Ministry. -------------------------------

From:
Chris Denly
To:
Chris Denly
Subject:
FW: s9(2)(a)
contact details
Date:
Wednesday, 29 September 2021 12:21:18 pm
Attachments:
image004.jpg
image001.png

From: Chris Denly
Sent: Monday, 14 October 2019 2:04 PM
To: s9(2)(a)
Subject: RE: s9(2)(a)
contact details

Hi s9(
2)
Sorry to bother you while you are on leave but I am just trying to finalise the agenda for our
labour market teams in Wellington for the next 2 days.
Did you have any luck confirming anyone to come and present to the forum about the skills
assessment tool you have implemented with Be.Accessible.
The timeslot I have available is this Wednesday 16 October 11:30AM – 12:00PM
Kind regards
Chris

From: Chris Denly
Sent: Wednesday, 9 October 2019 3:49 PM
To: s9(2)(a)

Cc: s9(2)(a)

Subject: RE s9(2)(a)
contact details

Hi s9(
2)
Thanks for answering the phone even though s9(2)(a)
.

We have all our MSD regional labour market teams coming together at the Brentwood Hotel in
Wellington on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. There are around 40 of us in total.
I have a 30 minute slot available from 11:30AM on Wednesday and it would be fantastic
opportunity to talk to our regions about the IT skills assessment tool that Be.Accessible have
utilised for our health conditions clients.
As we know there have been some amazing success stories from people that have used your
tool.
Our regions really struggle screening our clients and referring them to suitable providers and
employers and this could be a good opportunity to show case an alternative solution.
Let me know what you think.
Kind regards
Chris

From: s9(2)(a)

Sent: Wednesday, 9 October 2019 3:20 PM
To: Chris Denly <[email address]>; s9(2)(a)
Subject: s9(2)(a)
contact details

Document Outline