28 October 2021
Simon Varitas
By email:
[FYI request #17249 email]
Reference: OIA-2021/22-0462
Dear Simon Varitas
Official Information Act request for regarding cost benefit analyses for COVID-19
scenarios
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act (the Act), received on
18 October 2021. You requested:
“1. Any cost:benefit analyses of various policy approaches to responding to the COVID-
19 pandemic, including 1a - the date requested 1b - the date received 1c - the date the
information was considered by Cabinet
2 if you cannot provide the full text, please provide a listing of all costs and benefits
considered in any cost:benefit analysis (e.g. - the following is purely theoretical) Level
4:
Benefits: Fewer deaths
Costs: Health reductions from reduced gym attendance and exercise
3 if you are aware, could you also provide the title and date of any cost:benefit
analyses on COVID-19 that were provided to other state sector ministries or
departments (e.g. MoH)”
I believe that the information you have requested is more closely connected with the functions
of the The Treasury. Accordingly, I have decided under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act to transfer
your request to Treasury.
Treasury has the usual timeframes under the Act from receipt of this transfer to make a
decision on your request.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Corbett
Manager Ministerial and Business Services
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4450372
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz