Redaction of a document already released
B. White made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police
The request was refused by New Zealand Police.
From: B. White
Dear New Zealand Police,
Please supply all information pertaining to the decision making process regarding the release of the of the two linked documents in particular the differences in decision making for the sections which are redacted in one release but not the other. This could be (but is not limited to) emails, memos, or information known by the police but not yet written down.
I am trying to understand why the release of the redacted sections might prejudice the maintenance of the law in one case, but not in another.
If the two documents are different versions (which I cannot tell from my end) please also provide comment as far as practicably allowed as to the extent of change to the redacted sections. For example please let me know if they are substantially the same, or contain major revisions.
If it helps you in processing my request - I reside in New Zealand.
https://fyi.org.nz/request/12018/respons...
https://fyi.org.nz/request/8675/response...
Yours faithfully,
Brendan White
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe Brendan
I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act (OIA) request below, received by New Zealand Police on 29 July 2022.
Your request is being actioned pursuant to the OIA. You can expect a response to your request on or before 26 August 2022.
Kind regards, Dylan
Ministerial Services PNHQ
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From: B. White
Hi there,
I note that this request has now passed the maximum statutory timeframe for both response, and extension of time notification.
Can you please give me an update of when to expect a response to this request.
Yours sincerely,
B. White
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Mōrena Brendan
Although I am unable to confirm a release date at this stage, I expect you will receive a response before this weeks end. I can confirm that your request has been drafted and is currently progressing through the latter end of our internal consultation process.
Please accept our apologies for the delay in providing you with a response to your query.
We are endeavouring to provide this to you as soon as possible.
Ngā mihi
Julián (he/him)
Ministerial Services Advisor
NZ Police National Headquarters Wellington
If you’re wondering about the use of pronouns in email signatures, you can find more information here about how sharing pronouns can help create a sense of belonging and respect.
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From: B. White
Good morning,
Can you please confirm if you are giving notice of an extension of time?
I'm sure you will already know, that extension of time notices must be made within the original 20 days and must contain certain information (which your previous response did not have).
Nga mihi,
B. White
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
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Tēnā koe Brendan
Please find attached the response to your Official Information Act
request, received by New Zealand Police on 29 July 2022.
Please accept our apologies for the delay in providing you with this
response.
Ngā mihi
Jeremy
Ministerial Services |
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From: B. White
Dear Ministerial Services,
Thank you for the documents provided, however your response contains no explanation as to why the police redacted the document and marked the redaction as being made under section 6(c). Your response only appears to confirm that only that it did do this, and provided evidence to the fact that a cover sheet was produced for each.
Am I correct in inferring, from the lack of addressing the substance of my request, that police do not know why they redacted these parts under section 6(c)? Or is it the case that police redacted these sections on other grounds, and marked these redactions with the incorrect section when doing so.
While comment has been made as to the documents being two versions of the same policy, no information has been tendered to my query as to the extent of change between the two - can you please comment on the extent of change in the redacted sections per my original request.
Yours sincerely,
B. White
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Kia ora Brendan
You have been provided with Police’s response to your request.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review the decision if you are
not satisfied with the response to your request. Information about how to
make a complaint is available at: [1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Ngā mihi
Sarah
Ministerial Services | Police National Headquarters
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Mark Hanna left an annotation ()
I hope you also included NZ Police's unlawful delay in responding to your request in your complaint?
B. White left an annotation ()
As of yesterday - the Office of the Ombudsman has written to the Commissioner of Police to commence the investigation.
B. White left an annotation ()
Update received today.
Office of the Ombudsman has received a response from Police - and they are currently reviewing this.
Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence
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Mark Hanna left an annotation ()
I suspect NZ Police knows they don't have a lawful reason to extend the deadline on your request, otherwise they may have done so prior to the deadline.
Under the circumstances, an apology and an estimate of when you can receive a response is better than leaving you in the dark. But it doesn't change the fact that NZ Police is breaking the law.
I think it's likely that the delay is essentially due to the chronic under-resourcing of the OIA team operating at PNHQ. But the OIA doesn't allow for deadlines to be extended due to a heavy workload.
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