Kia ora,

 

Thank you for your Official Information Act (the Act) request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.

 

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. We
will endeavour to acknowledge your request as soon as possible. Further
information about COVID-19 can be found on our
website: [1]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...

 

In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
than 20 working days. If you'd like to calculate the timeframe, you can
use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [2]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

If you have any questions while we're processing your request, please let
us know via [3][email address]

 

Ngā mihi  

OIA Services Team  

   

[4]Ministry of Health information releases  

[5]Unite against COVID-19 

 

 

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References

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1. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
2. http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&a...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
5. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Kia ora MRM,

Thank you for your query regarding the COVID-19 Health Order and members
of Parliament (MPs).

There is no blanket exemption for MPs for not getting the COVID vaccine,
nor are they currently mandated by any health order. As you have been
advised, while the Act allows New Zealanders to ask for information from
Ministers and government agencies, there is no requirement for agencies to
prove an opinion.

While MPs as parliamentarians are not subject to the Official Information
Act 1982, you may want to write directly to your MP for further
information.  All their contact details are available
at: [1]https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...

Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [2][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 

Ngā mihi 

OIA Services Team 

  

[3]Ministry of Health information releases 

[4]Unite against COVID-19 

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From: M.R.M. <[FOI #17457 email]>
Sent: Friday, 5 November 2021 14:57
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Why aren't all Government
employees mandated to be vaccinated?
 
Dear Ministry of Health,

I believe in leading by example and want to know why all Government
employees are not mandated to be vaccinated against Covid-19?

Every time I watch politicians in Parliament I see them not wearing masks
and in the closed space environment of the debating chamber where there
are no windows to let in fresh air; only air conditioners circulating
dirty/old air.  There is no requirement - apparently - for any of them to
show proof of vaccination either, and, if one of them were to be
asymptomatic and shedding at the time this could potentially infect a
large number of those present.

MP's in communities also work in face-to-face roles with their
constituents.  They too could be asymptomatic and shedding when doing
their jobs.

Then there are local Government workers - e.g. city councils - who again
often work in face-to-face roles with their customers (e.g. ratepayers).

Please provide as much information on the abovementioned subject as
possible in your reply.

Yours faithfully,

M.R.M.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #17457 email]

Is [Ministry of Health request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests
to Ministry of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:
[5]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[6]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

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This e-mail message has been scanned for Viruses and Content and cleared
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References

Visible links
1. https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
4. https://covid19.govt.nz/
5. https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
6. https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

Kia ora,

 

Thank you for your request for official information received on 5 November
2021 for:

 

“1.  Has the Government at any time considered or planned to mandate all
Government workers in New Zealand to be Covid-19 double-vaccinated?

2.  Has the P.M. and all members of parliament been double-vaccinated?  If
not, why not?  And, if this information has not been collected, why not?” 

 

Your request asks for information which is more closely connected with the
functions of the Minister for COVID-19 Response, Hon Chris Hipkins. For
this reason, the Ministry of Health has decided to transfer your request
to the Office of Hon Chris Hipkins under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act. You
can expect a response from his office in due course.

 

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.

Ngâ mihi,

 

 

Nick Allan

Manager

OIA Services Team

 

[2]Ministry of Health information releases

[3]Unite against COVID-19

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References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Kia Ora,

 

Please find attached letter from Hon Chris Hipkins in response to your
email of 9 November 2021.

 

Kind regards,

Office of Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister for COVID-19 Response | Minister of Education | Minister of the
Public Service | Leader of the House
Parliament Buildings, Private Bag 18041, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

 

 

From: OIA Requests [[1]mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Tuesday, 9 November 2021 3:26 PM
To: M.R.M. <[2][FOI #17457 email]>
Subject: Your request for official information (ref: H202115657)

 

Kia ora,

 

Thank you for your request for official information received on 5 November
2021 for:

 

“1.  Has the Government at any time considered or planned to mandate all
Government workers in New Zealand to be Covid-19 double-vaccinated?

2.  Has the P.M. and all members of parliament been double-vaccinated?  If
not, why not?  And, if this information has not been collected, why not?” 

 

Your request asks for information which is more closely connected with the
functions of the Minister for COVID-19 Response, Hon Chris Hipkins. For
this reason, the Ministry of Health has decided to transfer your request
to the Office of Hon Chris Hipkins under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act. You
can expect a response from his office in due course.

 

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [3][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.

Ngâ mihi,

 

 

Nick Allan

Manager

OIA Services Team

 

[4]Ministry of Health information releases

[5]Unite against COVID-19

show quoted sections

 

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References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[FOI #17457 email]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
5. https://covid19.govt.nz/