133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
6 December 2022
Andrew Lewis
By email: [FYI request #21069 email]
Ref:
H2022017238
Tēnā koe Andrew,
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to Manatū
Hauora (the Ministry of Health) on 21 November 2022 for:
“Please supply all information on file which relates to the impact assessment for the
Covid 19 Health Response Act 2020”
The New Zealand Treasury determined that the COVID-19 Public Health Response Bil was
a direct COVID-19 response. The Treasury suspended the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA)
requirements because the RIA does not provide for proposals developed at pace to respond
to emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The temporary suspension of RIA
requirements is detailed in Cabinet Minute: CAB-20-MIN-0138 and can be viewed here:
www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/cabinet-minute/cab-20-min-0138-additional-item-
temporary-suspension-regulatory-impact-analysis-requirements-covid-19 . Therefore, your
request is refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as the information requested does not
exist.
Te Tāhū o te Ture (the Ministry of Justice) considered whether the Bil was consistent with
the rights and freedoms of the New Zealand Bil of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA). You can
view the advice her
e: www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/COVID-19-Public-
Health-Response-Bil .pdf.
There were RIAs for subsequent amendments to the COVID-19 Public Health Response
Act. Al RIAs are published on Manatū Hauora’s website and can be viewed here:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/regulatory-impact-statements.
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
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-
releases/responses-official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Steve Waldegrave
Associate Deputy Director General
Strategy, Policy & Legislation
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