7 April 2022
Sam
[FYI request #18837 email]
Ref: OIA-2021/22-1089
Dear Sam
Official Information Act request for response times for OIA requests
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA) request received on 10 March
2022. You requested:
1. What is the total number of successful and partially successful OIA requests made for
the years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022? Please supply a breakdown or successful /
partially successful.
2. What number of these were responded to within the allowed 20 working days?
3. How many of the initial responses were incomplete, prompting a follow up request for
complete information?
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) reports the number of OIA
requests received by the department, in addition to the average number of days for
responding to requests, as part of its Select Committee Annual Review. Questions 56 and 57
of DPMC’s 2020/21 Annual Review provide information relating to DPMC’s handling of OIA
requests.
Responses to the 2020/21 Annual Review questions were submitted to the Governance and
Administration Committee on 16 February 2022 and can be found on the Parliament website:
parliament.nz/resource/en-NZ/53SCGA_EVI_116496_GA20956/c9f1b748eb04552
04fffce5c31d948dbe6eeab76
Accordingly, I am refusing your request for the number of OIA requests responded to in
2020/21, within 20 working days, under section 18(d) of the OIA, as the information is
publicly available. Prior to 2020/21, DPMC’s reporting was not configured to collect accurate
information on OIA extensions or transfers. Accordingly, I am refusing your request for data
from previous years under section 18(g) of the OIA, as the information is not held by DPMC
and there is no obligation for an agency to create information in order to respond to an OIA
request.
DPMC does not categorise OIA responses by whether the requested information was
released, partially released, withheld, or refused. Many requests are complex, and responses
will often be a mixture of providing information, directing the requester to publicly available
information, providing explanatory comments, and refusing parts of the request. I am
therefore refusing this part of your request under section 18(g) of the OIA, as the information
is not held by DPMC and there is no obligation for an agency to create information in order to
respond to an OIA request.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4531187
64 4 817 9698 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.
This response will be published on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s
website during our regular publication cycle. Typically, information is released monthly, or as
otherwise determined. Your personal information including name and contact details will be
removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Clare Ward
Executive Director
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
4531187
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