11 January 2022
Simon Veritas
[FYI request #17761 email]
Ref: OIA-2021/22-0771
Dear Simon Veritas
Official Information Act request relating to quantitative analysis of Professor John Gibson’s
estimates on lives lost from COVID-19 lockdowns
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 29 November 2021.
You requested:
“1. John Gibson is Professor of Economics at Waikato University. He has published on the
equivalent lives lost from lockdowns (e.g. his latest estimate is that government policies
have killed the equivalent of 46,000 future lives). Has the DPMC ever provided Professor
Gibson's analysis as part of any advice to the Prime Minister or Cabinet? If so, what were
the dates and titles of the papers provided?
1a. If Professor Gibson's analysis has never been provided to the Prime Minister or
Cabinet, please provide me any material showing the internal decision-making not to do so
(note, if Prof Gibson was never discussed, I understand the material will not exist)
2. Has the DPMC, in its advice to the Prime Minister or Cabinet, attempted to estimate the
loss of utility (happiness, wellbeing) from lockdowns and other restrictions, such as MIQ, in
a quantitative sense? If so, what were the dates and titles of the papers provided? Please
note, I have read the recent release of advice to Cabinet, and there is no effort to quantify
these things, but I want to be sure.
3. Is the DPMC aware of any public polling on issues of concern relating to COVID (e.g.
"would you support a travel bubble with Australia?"), and if so, which ministry or department
is responsible for them? If it is the DPMC, please provide me all reports of polling
conducted.”
I have decided under section 15A of the Act to extend the time limits for deciding on your request by
an additional 20 working days. Please note under Section 2(1) of the Act, days in the period
commencing 25 December 2021 through to 15 January 2022, are not counted as working days.
Consequently, the extended due date for your response will be
15 February 2022. The extension is required because of the consultations needed to make a decision on your request.
Despite the extension, a response will be sent to you as soon as possible.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4477537
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section
28(3) of the Act.
Yours sincerely
ppSarah Corbett
Manager, Ministerial and Business Services
3249891
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