17 November 2022
John
[FYI request #20814 email]
Dear John
Official Information Request
Our Ref: OIA 2022-0179
I refer to your official information request received on 29 October 2022 where you have asked:
“Is PSC current monitoring Immigration NZ’s performance? Yes or No.
If yes, why it was decided by PSC to care about people that are outside New Zealand and not
residents that paying their taxes and are waiting a long time for the citizenship applications to
be processed?
What can a taxpayer do to request PSC to take interest in a public service department towards
its performance to avoid further damage to the public wellbeing and mental health?”
Our Response
The role of the Commissioner is defined in the Public Service Act 2020, to provide leadership of the
Public Service, including the performance and integrity of the system. However, the appropriate
avenue for you to raise the matters you have outlined in your request in respect of Immigration NZ, in
the first instance, is with Carolyn Tremain, the Chief Executive who holds the accountability for
Immigration NZ.
This is because, under section 52 of the Public Service Act 2020 each departmental chief executive is
responsible to their appropriate Minister or Ministers for the discharge of their responsibilities. This
includes the running of their own department, their provision of advice and assistance to the Minister,
and how they should assist the Public Service as a whole, to improve how it works. This over-riding
responsibility to the Minister is further emphasised by the provisions of the Public Finance Act under
which chief executives are responsible to Ministers for the financial conduct of the department.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Level 10, RBNZ Building | 2 The Terrace | PO Box 329
Wel ington 6140 | New Zealand
Phone +64 4 495 6600
Please note that we intend to publish this letter (with your personal details removed) on the Te Kawa
Mataaho Public Service Commission’s website.
Yours sincerely
Nicky Dirks
Manager – Ministerial and Executive Services
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
Document Outline