1 June 2022
Athina Andonatou
[FYI request #19421 email]
Reference: OIA-2021/22-1358
Dear Athina Andonatou
Official Information Act request regarding the World Health Organisation and
preparation for COVID-19
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act (the Act), received on
22 May 2022. You requested:
“Dear Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, It is come to my attention
that the World Health Organisation may have instructed our Government to prepare for
an imminent coronavirus pandemic. As the truth is hard to find at this time, I am
requesting all documentation, all communications and all reports between
1) the Government and WHO
2) The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and The WHO
3) The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and the Prime Minister For
the period covering 1 October 2019 to 31 March 2020”
I believe that question one of your request is more closely connected to the functions of the
Ministry of Health (the Ministry). Accordingly, I have decided under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act
to transfer this part of your request to the Ministry. The other parts of the request will remain
with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Ministry has the usual timeframes under the Act from receipt of this transfer to make a
decision on your request.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Corbett
Manager Ministerial and Business Services
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4556054
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz