Tēnā koe David,

Thank you for your OIA request to the Department of Internal Affairs (included with this email)

The Department will provide its response to your request as soon as practicable and within twenty working days. The 20th working day is 30 May 2022

Nāku, nā

Michelle Reed (she/her)  
Kaitohutohu Ārahi, te Ture Pārongo Ōkawa | Lead Advisor Official Correspondence 
Te Urūngi | Organisational Strategy & Performance
Level 6, 45 Pipitea St | PO Box 805, Wellington 6140, New Zealand |  www.dia.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Feed Families Not Pokies Aotearoa <[FOI #19258 email]>
Sent: Monday, 2 May 2022 8:33 PM
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Communications between DIA and parties in the Barrett Case

[You don't often get email from [FOI #19258 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...

Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

Last year DIA prosecuted a case against a class 4 (pokie) venue owner in Christchurch. The case was reported in Stuff: https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Because the name of the venue and its manager are subject to a name suppression order, we refer to the case as the "Barrett Case" in this request.

Our organisation is curious about the role played in that prosecution, and its defence, by the Lion Foundation, which was the Venue Operator of the venue in question.

In order to satisfy our curiosity, we now request the following information under the Official Information Act:

All internal emails, memos, file notes, and other information relevant to the "Barrett Case" sent and received within DIA from January 2018 to 30 June 2021.

All correspondence (including but not limited to formal briefings, advice, explanations, etc), between DIA and the Minister of Internal Affairs, and/or members of the Minister's office staff, regarding the "Barrett Case" from January 2018 to 31 December 2021.

All correspondence between DIA and the Lion Foundation, and/or between DIA and the law firm known as Fee Langstone, regarding the "Barrett Case" and any aspect of it, during the period from January 2018 to 31 December 2021.

In regard to the last part of our request, we are well aware of the protections the Act provides for "professional legal privilege" in section 9(2)(h). We are also aware of the Ombudsman's advice about when and how that protection should be provided under the Act. It is our position that if the information we have requested does exist, then it would be "...desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available."

Yours faithfully,

David Hay
Chairperson, Feed Families Not Pokies Aotearoa Inc.

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19258 email]

Is [DIA request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Department of Internal Affairs? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Kia ora David,

We would like to write to you about your request. Do you have an alternate email that we can contact you on? If you can get back to me by COB tomorrow (Friday 27 May), that would be great.

Ngā mihi

Royden Raka | Business Advisor
Regulatory Services
Toi Hiranga | Regulation & Policy
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington
Phone: +64 4 462 0129 | www.dia.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Feed Families Not Pokies Aotearoa <[FOI #19258 email]>
Sent: Monday, 2 May 2022 8:33 PM
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Communications between DIA and parties in the Barrett Case

[You don't often get email from [FOI #19258 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...

Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

Last year DIA prosecuted a case against a class 4 (pokie) venue owner in Christchurch. The case was reported in Stuff: https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Because the name of the venue and its manager are subject to a name suppression order, we refer to the case as the "Barrett Case" in this request.

Our organisation is curious about the role played in that prosecution, and its defence, by the Lion Foundation, which was the Venue Operator of the venue in question.

In order to satisfy our curiosity, we now request the following information under the Official Information Act:

All internal emails, memos, file notes, and other information relevant to the "Barrett Case" sent and received within DIA from January 2018 to 30 June 2021.

All correspondence (including but not limited to formal briefings, advice, explanations, etc), between DIA and the Minister of Internal Affairs, and/or members of the Minister's office staff, regarding the "Barrett Case" from January 2018 to 31 December 2021.

All correspondence between DIA and the Lion Foundation, and/or between DIA and the law firm known as Fee Langstone, regarding the "Barrett Case" and any aspect of it, during the period from January 2018 to 31 December 2021.

In regard to the last part of our request, we are well aware of the protections the Act provides for "professional legal privilege" in section 9(2)(h). We are also aware of the Ombudsman's advice about when and how that protection should be provided under the Act. It is our position that if the information we have requested does exist, then it would be "...desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available."

Yours faithfully,

David Hay
Chairperson, Feed Families Not Pokies Aotearoa Inc.

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19258 email]

Is [DIA request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Department of Internal Affairs? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Tēnā koe David,

 

Please refer to the attached correspondence in relation to your request.

 

Nāku, nā

 

 

 

Rachel Chrystall | Principal Advisor Official Correspondence (Acting)

Regulatory Strategy and Performance

Toi Hiranga | Regulation & Policy

Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua

45 Pipitea Street, Wellington

Direct Dial: +64 4 816 4041 | Extn: 6041

[1]www.dia.govt.nz

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Kia ora David,

I am following up on my email to you below dated 26 May 2022. We would like the opportunity to engage with you about your request.

Do you have an alternate email address that we can contact you on? I would appreciate if you could get back to me as soon as possible.

Ngā mihi

Royden Raka | Business Advisor
Regulatory Services
Toi Hiranga | Regulation & Policy
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington
Phone: +64 4 462 0129 | www.dia.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Royden Raka
Sent: Thursday, 26 May 2022 11:22 am
To: [FOI #19258 email]
Cc: RSOC <[email address]>; Rachel Chrystall <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Your Official Information request OIA2122-0743

Kia ora David,

We would like to write to you about your request. Do you have an alternate email that we can contact you on? If you can get back to me by COB tomorrow (Friday 27 May), that would be great.

Ngā mihi

Royden Raka | Business Advisor
Regulatory Services
Toi Hiranga | Regulation & Policy
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington
Phone: +64 4 462 0129 | www.dia.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Feed Families Not Pokies Aotearoa <[FOI #19258 email]>
Sent: Monday, 2 May 2022 8:33 PM
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Communications between DIA and parties in the Barrett Case

[You don't often get email from [FOI #19258 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...

Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

Last year DIA prosecuted a case against a class 4 (pokie) venue owner in Christchurch. The case was reported in Stuff: https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Because the name of the venue and its manager are subject to a name suppression order, we refer to the case as the "Barrett Case" in this request.

Our organisation is curious about the role played in that prosecution, and its defence, by the Lion Foundation, which was the Venue Operator of the venue in question.

In order to satisfy our curiosity, we now request the following information under the Official Information Act:

All internal emails, memos, file notes, and other information relevant to the "Barrett Case" sent and received within DIA from January 2018 to 30 June 2021.

All correspondence (including but not limited to formal briefings, advice, explanations, etc), between DIA and the Minister of Internal Affairs, and/or members of the Minister's office staff, regarding the "Barrett Case" from January 2018 to 31 December 2021.

All correspondence between DIA and the Lion Foundation, and/or between DIA and the law firm known as Fee Langstone, regarding the "Barrett Case" and any aspect of it, during the period from January 2018 to 31 December 2021.

In regard to the last part of our request, we are well aware of the protections the Act provides for "professional legal privilege" in section 9(2)(h). We are also aware of the Ombudsman's advice about when and how that protection should be provided under the Act. It is our position that if the information we have requested does exist, then it would be "...desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available."

Yours faithfully,

David Hay
Chairperson, Feed Families Not Pokies Aotearoa Inc.

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19258 email]

Is [DIA request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Department of Internal Affairs? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Kia ora David,

 

Please find attached a letter and two PDF attachments (Appendices A – B)
in response to your OIA request from the Department of Internal Affairs.

 

Please note, we are having technical issues with Appendix A – Document 14.
While our decision still stands, we will aim to get Appendix A – Document
14 to you early next week. I do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 

Ngâ mihi 

 

Royden Raka | Business Advisor             

Regulatory Services

Toi Hiranga | Regulation & Policy

Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington
Phone: +64 4 462  0129 | [1]www.dia.govt.nz

 

[2]logo

 

References

Visible links
1. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Kia ora David,

 

As noted in my email below dated 8 July 2022, we had technical issues with
Appendix A – Document 14.

 

We have now managed to resolve this issue. Therefore, please find attached
Append A – Document 14 in accordance with our response to your OIA
request.  

 

Ngâ mihi

Royden Raka

 

 

From: RSOC
Sent: Friday, 8 July 2022 3:59 pm
To: [FOI #19258 email]
Subject: Response to your Official Information Act (OIA) request 1982
dated 2 May 2022 (OIA 21/22 0743)
Importance: High

 

Kia ora David,

 

Please find attached a letter and two PDF attachments (Appendices A – B)
in response to your OIA request from the Department of Internal Affairs.

 

Please note, we are having technical issues with Appendix A – Document 14.
While our decision still stands, we will aim to get Appendix A – Document
14 to you early next week. I do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 

Ngâ mihi 

 

Royden Raka | Business Advisor             

Regulatory Services

Toi Hiranga | Regulation & Policy

Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington
Phone: +64 4 462  0129 | [1]www.dia.govt.nz

 

[2]logo

 

References

Visible links
1. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...