26 October 2021
Maxwell
By email: [FYI request #16908 email]
Dear Maxwell
Official Information Act Request: Genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2
On 27 September 2021 you sent a request for information under the Official Information Act
1982 (Act) to ESR as follows:
“Can I please request all documentation held by Institute of Environmental Science and
Research Limited (ESR) and/or Ministry of Health (MOH) (email correspondence, white
papers, test guidelines, ARTIC protocols, Oxford NanoPore MinION sequencing guidelines,
test results, submitted GISAID data, data integration with NexStrain, RNA genome data,
etc.) related to the genome sequence results from the initial 25 test cases within New
Zealand on Novel coronavirus/SARS-COV-2 RNA sequencing.”
The Act requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no later than 26 October
2021, being 20 working days after the date we received your request. Unfortunately, it will
not be possible for us to meet this time limit and we are therefore writing to notify you of an
extension of the time to make our decision to
23 November 2021.
This extension is necessary because your request is for a large quantity of information and a
proper response cannot be reasonably made within the original time limit.
Your right to seek a review You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
Thank you for your request.
Yours sincerely
Jill Vintiner
Joint General Manager Health and Environment Group – Health
ESR