Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development appointment information

Alex Harris made this Official Information request to Minister of Foreign Affairs

The request was partially successful.

From: Alex Harris

Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Today it was announced that former MP Shane Jones had been appointed as "Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development" ("Shane Jones officially appointed to new post", NZ Herald, 29 May 2014). I would like to request the following information under the OIA:

* all advice and communications, such as (but not limited to) cabinet papers, briefing notes, aides memoire, appointment letters, and emails, relating to the appointment. I am particularly interested in the process followed: whether the position was advertised, how many candidates applied, how many were interviewed, and how many were shortlisted. I am also interested in learning what stage Jones' name entered the process.
* all advice and communications (see above) on the creation of the position of Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development. I'm particularly interested in learning when the creation of such a position was first suggested and by whom (MFAT or the Minister) and the expected role it will play. I understand that this part of the request might be transferred to MFAT.

I ask that this request be handled urgently. Jones' appointment is a matter of some public interest, and there is a public interest in being able to examine the appointment process. I am happy to split the request if this results in some part of it being accorded urgency.

I would prefer to receive an electronic response. Queries about this request will be automatically forwarded to me by the fyi.org.nz website.

With regards to s12 of the OIA, I am an NZ citizen and in NZ.

Yours faithfully,

Alex Harris

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From: M McCully (MIN)

On behalf of Hon Murray McCully, thank you for your email.  Your
correspondence has been noted.

 

Please be aware that the Minister receives a large volume
of correspondence every day which means we cannot always respond as
rapidly as some email users may anticipate.  

 

While the minister considers all correspondence to be important, if you
are writing to express a personal view, your opinion will be noted but a
response beyond this acknowledgement may not necessarily be sent.

 

Kind regards,

The Office of Hon Murray McCully

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From: Holly Bennett
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dear Alex Harris

On behalf of Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, thank you for your correspondence of 29 May 2014 requesting information regarding the Pacific Economic Ambassador role, including correspondence with Shane Jones.

You will receive a reply within 20 working days as required by the Official Information Act.

Yours sincerely,

Holly

Holly Bennett | Ministerial Secretary | Office of Hon Murray McCully
Minister of Foreign Affairs | Minister for Sport and Recreation
6.1 Executive Wing Beehive | Parliament Buildings | Wellington 6160 | New Zealand

-----Original Message-----
From: Alex Harris [mailto:[OIA #1718 email]]
Sent: Thursday, 29 May 2014 11:27 a.m.
To: M McCully (MIN)
Subject: Official Information Act request - Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development appointment information

Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Today it was announced that former MP Shane Jones had been appointed as "Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development" ("Shane Jones officially appointed to new post", NZ Herald, 29 May 2014). I would like to request the following information under the OIA:

* all advice and communications, such as (but not limited to) cabinet papers, briefing notes, aides memoire, appointment letters, and emails, relating to the appointment. I am particularly interested in the process followed: whether the position was advertised, how many candidates applied, how many were interviewed, and how many were shortlisted. I am also interested in learning what stage Jones' name entered the process.
* all advice and communications (see above) on the creation of the position of Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development. I'm particularly interested in learning when the creation of such a position was first suggested and by whom (MFAT or the Minister) and the expected role it will play. I understand that this part of the request might be transferred to MFAT.

I ask that this request be handled urgently. Jones' appointment is a matter of some public interest, and there is a public interest in being able to examine the appointment process. I am happy to split the request if this results in some part of it being accorded urgency.

I would prefer to receive an electronic response. Queries about this request will be automatically forwarded to me by the fyi.org.nz website.

With regards to s12 of the OIA, I am an NZ citizen and in NZ.

Yours faithfully,

Alex Harris

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From: Alex Harris

Dear Holly Bennett,

Its been a week; has any decision been made on whether this request will be handled urgently?

Yours sincerely,

Alex Harris

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From: Cat McDiarmid
Minister of Foreign Affairs


Attachment 23062014110647 0001.pdf
90K Download View as HTML

Attachment Eco Dev OIA.pdf
2.2M Download View as HTML


Hi Alex - see attached.

Catrina McDiarmid | Senior Private Secretary | Office of Hon Murray McCully
+64 4 817 9710 | +64 21 686 744

________________________________

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From: Alex Harris

Dear Cat McDiarmid,

Thanks for the response. I appreciate that you have received a large number of requests on this issue, but your response doesn't really contain any information related to the appointment process itself. as I noted in my request, "I am particularly interested in the process followed: whether the position was advertised, how many candidates applied, how many were interviewed,
and how many were shortlisted. I am also interested in learning what stage Jones' name entered the process."

There appears to be no documentation of any of this. Should I conclude therefore that there is no documentation, and that there was no formal appointment process?

Yours sincerely,

Alex Harris

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