18 July 2022
Harold
[FYI request #19522 email]
Ref: OIA-2021/22-1386
Dear Harold
Official Information Act request relating to COVID-19 false information reporting cell
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 31 May 2022.
You requested:
A report recently proactively released on the Unite Against COVID-19 website refers to
an inter-agency group providing reporting on COVID-19 false information:
The report can be viewed here (quote on page 9):
https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/Proactive-Releases/Reviews-and-audits/26-May-
2022/COVID-19-Response-Weekly-Report-17-December-2021.pdf
On the topic of this “cell” I would like to request the following:
1) A copy of all of the “ first report to Ministers” referred to above
2) Copies of all subsequent reports to Ministers in this series
3) If the cell has a set of terms of reference and/or an operating model, I would like to
request copies of them“”
The timeframe for responding to your request was extended under section 15A of the Act by
20 working days because consultations were needed before a decision could be made on
the request. Following this extension, I am now in a position to respond.
In December 2021 an Inter-agency Working Group convened by DPMC established a trial
process (the virtual triaging and reporting cell) to ensure that information on less-than-
criminal threats to the COVID-19 response was properly assessed, shared and reported to
decision makers in a consolidated manner. As New Zealand’s COVID-19 mitigation
measures evolved, in early March 2022 the need for the virtual cell was reassessed by
government agencies and it was decided to revert to agencies providing assessments in their
respective areas of responsibility. While it was active, the cell produced two reports.
In response to question 1 of your request, I have decided to withhold in full a copy of the
report under section 6(a) of the Act (to protect the security or defence of New Zealand or the
international relations of the Government of New Zealand). In response to question 2 of your
request, as noted above there is one further report in scope of your request. I have also
decided to withhold this report in full under section 6(a).
In response to question 3 of your request, an early draft terms of reference was created.
However, it was not finalised due to the decision to cease the virtual cell’s activities.
Therefore, I have decided to withhold in full a copy of the ‘
[DRAFT] Virtual triaging and
reporting cell: COVID-related mis/disinformation and risks to the COVID-19 response –
Terms of Reference.’ This document is withheld under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act (to
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4571553
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of
opinion).
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.
We do not intend to publish this response on the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet’s website.
Yours sincerely
Dan Eaton
Acting Deputy Chief Executive
National Security Group
4571553
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