22 December 2021
George Morrison
[FYI request #17776 email]
Dear George
Thank you for your Official Information Act request received on 30 November 2021. You
requested:
… all communications, including no surprises notifications, received by you as
shareholding minister of Air NZ relating to the company for the period of 19 June 2012
to 20 June 2019.
On 15 December 2021 you clarified your request to:
… all communications specifically from Christopher Luxon to Minister Robertson and his
predecessors relating to the company for the period of 19 June 2012 to 20 June 2019.
I would also like my request to include (for the period mentioned):
- All communications from anyone at Air NZ to the Minister or his predecessors relating
to the engine maintenance work it did for the Royal Saudi Navy
- All communications from anyone at Air NZ to the Minister or his predecessors relating
to rationalising or removing regional flights.
Partial transfer
Part of your clarified request seeks information prior to me taking over the portfolio of
shareholding Minister for Air New Zealand on 26 October 2017. I believe that this part of your
request is more closely connected to the functions of the Treasury as the corresponding
portfolio agency. Accordingly, I have decided under section 14(b)(ii) of the Official Information
Act to transfer the following parts of your request to the Treasury:
1.
All communications specifically from Christopher Luxon to shareholding Ministers for Air
New Zealand relating to the company for the period 19 June 2012 to 25 October 2017;
2.
All communications from anyone at Air NZ to shareholding Ministers for Air New Zealand
relating to the engine maintenance work it did for the Royal Saudi Navy for the period 19
June 2012 to 25 October 2017;
3.
All communications from anyone at Air NZ to shareholding Ministers for Air New Zealand
relating to rationalising or removing regional flights for the period 19 June 2012 to 25
October 2017.
The other parts of the request below have not been transferred, and I will respond in due
course:
4.
All communications specifically from Christopher Luxon to you as the shareholding
Minister for Air New Zealand relating to the company for the period 26 October 2017 to
30 November 2021;
5.
All communications from anyone at Air NZ to you as the shareholding Minister for
Air New Zealand relating to the engine maintenance work it did for the Royal Saudi Navy
for the period 26 October 2017 to 30 November 2021;
6.
All communications from anyone at Air NZ to you as the shareholding Minister for
Air New Zealand relating to rationalising or removing regional flights for the period 26
October 2017 to 30 November 2021.
The Treasury has 20 working days from receipt of this transfer to make a decision on your
request.
Extension
I have decided under section 15A of the Official Information Act to extend the time limit for
deciding on the remaining parts of your request by an additional 40 working days. The new
due date for responding to your request is 16 March 2022.
The extension is required because your request necessitates a search through a large quantity
of information, and consultations are needed before a decision can be made on your request.
This extension will also apply to the time limit for transferring your request, should this become
relevant.
Notwithstanding this extension, I undertake to make a decision on your request as soon as
reasonably practicable.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review this decision.
Yours sincerely
Hon Grant Robertson
Minister of Finance
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