26 October 2021
Andrew F
[FYI request #17053 email]
Ref: OIA 2122-0823
Dear Andrew
Thank you for your email of 5 October 2021 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA), the following information:
1. Does your Ministry or any main entity within the Government have a total sum of
government assistance [in all forms] distributed to full-time employed individuals earning
less than the $20.00/hr standard minimum wage? If so, what is the amount paid for the past
three fiscal years.
2. Does your Ministry or any main entity within the Government hold a value of the number of
full-time employed individuals earning less than the $20.00/hr standard minimum wage? If
so, what would that value be for the last three years.
3. Does the Ministry or any main entity within the Government hold any internal documents,
emails or memos in regards to removing the training wage?
4. In regards to the growing gap in the fields of skilled labour and the trades, does the
Government have any internal documents, emails or memos in regards the training wage as
a barrier to filling this hole in the market?
I am writing to advise you that the Ministry will provide a response but needs to extend the time
available to answer your request. The Ministry’s response will be with you no later than 17
November 2021.
The reason for the extension is that the request requires a search through a large quantity of
information, and we can’t complete the search within the 20 working day time limit without this
unreasonably interfering with our operations.
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.
I will respond to you sooner if I am able to.
Yours sincerely
Chris Hubscher
Manager, Employment Standards Policy
Labour, Science and Enterprise
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
