133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
18 July 2022
Harry Peterson
By email: [FYI request #19723 email]
Ref: H202208200
Tēnā koe Harry
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health (the Ministry) on 22 June 2022. You requested:
“Per the statute laid out under the Official Information Act 1982, I am requesting all data,
information and records since the date beginning 26 October 2017 regarding funding
decisions/conversations pertaining to the upgrade and redevelopment of the Whangarei
Base Hospital Complex. This information may include but is not limited to:
-
Internal memos, emails, meeting notes and minutes from internal discussions within
the Ministry of Health.
-
External memos, emails, discussions, meeting notes and minutes from external
discussions with experts, health officials, or contracts.
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Discussions between the Ministry of Health and other relevant consulting Ministries.
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Any papers, plans, or funding decisions prevented to, or discussed with Cabinet,
including Cabinet minutes and notes per relevant discussions.”
The information you have requested is currently being used to inform Cabinet about the
decision to invest at Whangarei Hospital. As such, the information you have requested is
withheld in full under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the Act, to maintain the constitutional conventions that
protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers and officials.
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Jan Torres
Acting Manager, OIA Services Government and Executive Services