DEPARTMENT OF THE
PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET
TE TARI O TE PIRIMIA ME TE KOMITI MATUA
16 May 2022
Peter Russell
fyi-request-18517-e00838d9@requests. fyi. org. nz
Ref: OIA-2021/22-1231
Dear Peter Russell
Official Information Act request for advice regarding manag iing public perceptions and
concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 11 April 2022.
You requested:
"I request copies of any and all advice received by the government regarding how it
can manage public perceptions and concerns about the SARS-CoV-2 "vaccine"""
Firstly, please note that we can only respond on behalf of information which the Department
holds. You may wish to consider approaching other state sector agencies for their advice.
A list of government agencies and website details can be found on the Te Kawa Mataaho
Public Service Commission website (publicservice.govt.nz).
I have decided to release to you the briefing
COVID-19 Sentiment and Behaviour Research
July-September, subject to information being withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to
protect the privacy of individuals.
It is important to note that while the above briefing notes the overall themes and trends
outlined in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet's reporting during 2021,
The Research Agency, (who provided this information), later advised that some individual
findings could have been interpreted or represented with greater clarity than originally
presented. This was due to a number of factors, for example at the time, many reports were
being collated which captured changes in sentiment and behaviours across an extended time
period by a team facing significant workload pressures due to the evolving COVID-19
Response.
Another document within scope of your request,
COVID-19 Sentiment and Behaviour
Research, dated 22 June 2021, as well are other documents which may be useful to you, are
publicly available on the Unite Against COVID-19 website:
covid 19 .govt. nz/about-our-covid-19-response/proactive-releases/research/
Accordingly, I am refusing the remainder of your request under section 18( d) of the Act, as
the information requested is publicly available.
In making my decision, I have taken the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of the
Act into account.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4540013
� 64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
