13 January 2023
Wendy Pond
[FYI request #17214 email]
Tēnā koe
Wendy
Official Information Act Request
Thank you for your requests for information of 18 September 2021 and 16 October
2021 for information relating to the 2021 Moehau 1080 operation application which
has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). We
apologise for the length of time that it has taken to get this information to you. It has
required a considerable amount of time to collate and review the information.
.
Our response to these two requests is below:
1. Has the Board received an application during 2021 requesting
permission for use of 1080 for the Moehau public conservation lands?
The Board did receive an application during 2021.
2. Please provide a full copy of the application for permission. Please
include
a. The full communication logs and correspondence concerning
consultation
The following documents covered by your request are attached:
Application for a health permission (and associated documents) by EcoFx for the
Moehau Possum and Rat Control Operation, dated 27/5/21
Updated application for a health permission (and associated documents) by EcoFx
for the Moehau Possum and Rat Control Operation, dated 13/10/21
Communications plan
List of iwi consulted.
Relevant emails
b. Statements by the applicant explaining why they have not complied
with the Communications guideline for aerial 1080 operations.
Te Whatu Ora Waikato, does not hold documentation of a statement by the applicant
explaining why the Communications guideline for aerial 1080 operations has not been
complied with therefore this part of the request is refused pursuant to section 18(g) of
the Official Information Act 1982 because the information requested is not held by Te
Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Waikato and we have no grounds for believing the
information is held by another department.
The applicant has made a statement explaining why they have not consulted on the
options for pest control. This is included on page 1 of the attached
document “19_07_2021 MOE21 Moehau 2021 Communication Plan - DOC-
6507603_Intro”.
3. Correspondence between WDHB and DoC concerning the application and
the operation
The relevant emails are attached.
4. Correspondence received from the public concerning the application and
the operation
The relevant emails are attached.
5. Please explain the statement, WDHB cannot refuse permission.
A public health HSNO officer for WDHB (now Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand,
Waikato) can decline to grant a permission for a 1080 operation.
You will note that on the attachments some of the information you have requested has
been withheld under:
- section 18(a), and 9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act 1982, which enables
information to be withheld if this is necessary to protect the privacy of natural
persons and this is not outweighed by any public interest in its release.
- Sections 18(a) and 9(2)(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act 1982, which
enables information to be withheld if its release would be likely to
unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of a person who supplied or
is the subject of the information and this is not outweighed by any public
interest in its release.
- Sections 18(a) and 9(2)(ba)(i) of the Official Information Act 1982, which
enables information to be withheld if it is subject to an obligation of confidence
or a person was legally compelled to provide the information, and release
would be likely to prejudice the supply of similar information or information
from the same source, and it is in the public interest that the information
should continue to be supplied, and this is not outweighed by any public
interest in its release.
- Sections 18(a) and 9(2)(g)(ii) of the Official Information Act 1982, which
enables information to be withheld if this is necessary to maintain the effective
conduct of public affairs through the protection of officials from improper
pressure or harassment, and this is not outweighed by any public interest in
its release.
- Section 6(d) of the Official Information Act 1982, which enables information to
be withheld if its release would be likely to endanger the safety of any person.
How to get in contact If you have any questions, you can contact us at
[email address]
If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.
As this information may be of interest to other members of the public, Health NZ has decided
to proactively release a copy of this response on Health NZ’s website. Al requester data,
including your name and contact details, will be removed prior to release. The released
response will be made availabl
e here. Nāku iti noa, nā
Mark Waitai
Waikato Maniapoto, Hauraki
Ngaati Apa, Te iwi Morehu
Ngaati Kurii, Te Aupouri
Director of Tikanga | Acting Executive Director MEHI Directorate
Waiora Waikato
TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Private Bag 3200, Hamilton 3240
