Good morning

 

Your request below has been received and a decision on your request will
be provided as soon as possible and no later than 16 December 2022.
Responses to requests for information that are considered to be in the
wider public interest will be published on the New Zealand Defence Force
website (www.nzdf.mil.nz).

 

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[1]www.nzdf.mil.nz

-----Original Message-----

From: Drew Mackenzie-Kay
[[2]mailto:[FOI #21148 email]]

Sent: Friday, 18 November 2022 9:43 a.m.

To: Ministerial Services <[3][NZDF request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - NZDF Conflict of Interest Handling
Procedures

 

Dear New Zealand Defence Force,

 

This request for information concerns the potential misuse of public
resources by current service person, former National Party candidate,
National Part prospective Candidate and current National Party Otaki
Electorate Chair Tim Costley. I have received information that Wing
Commander Tim Costley may have (a) misused his authority as an Airforce
officer to use aircraft flights for his own personal benefit to attend
National Party Events, and (b) promoted national party and personal
interests during paid Airforce engagements.

 

In accordance with the Official Information Act, can you please supply the
following information:

 

1. Confirmation of any Defence Force aircraft flight movements where Tim
Costley was the pilot in command, a member of flight crew, or carried as a
passenger on the following dates (which correspond with National Party
Events):

• 7,8,9 and 10 May 2021, with Napier being the arrival or departure
location • 6, 7, 8 and 9 August 2021, with Auckland being the arrival or
departure location • 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 August 2022, with Christchurch
being the arrival or departure location

 

2. Details of the aircraft involved, the operational purpose and approvals
of any relevant flight movements noted above

 

3. If carried as a passenger on any flight movement noted above, whether
Tim Costley was ‘on duty’ or not

 

4. The estimated hourly running cost for each flight movement outlined
above

 

5. Whether Tim Costley was approved (and by who) to appear at the
following day-time events as a representative of the airforce, and whether
he took paid or unpaid ‘leave’ or not:

 

21 or 22 October 2022 – Grey Power Horowhenua

5 October 2022 - Electra Business Breakfast

25 August 2022 – Probus

28 July 2022 -Otaihanga lunchtime event with Shane Reti

24 March 2022 – Full day with Chris Luxon

21 March 2022 – Full day with Nicola Willis

9 February 2022 – Full day with Simeon Brown, in Levin and in Peka Peka

17 or 18 November 2021 – Judith Collins in Waikanae

16 November 2021 – University of Otago MBA presentation

11 November 2021 –Full day with Matt Doocey

5 November 2021 – Electra Business Breakfast

19 October 2021 – Submission to Kapiti Coast District Council

4 or 5 August 2021 – Levin Probus presentation & Kapakapanui school

8 July 2021 – Waikanae public meeting with Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis
16, 17 and 18 June 2021 – Mount Maunganui – National Party meeting

13 June 2021 – Levin lunch with Ian McKelvie

17 May 2021 – Rebus Levin

20 April 2021 – Speldhurst event with 4 MPs

 

6. All information relating to protocols or how conflicts of interest
between Tim Costley’s role as a National party Office holder / candidate
and his role within the airforce are to be managed.

 

7. Confirmation of the applicable parts of the Defence Force Code of
Conduct to service people engaging in political activities, namely
whether:

a. There is a requirement for members of the NZDF to maintain, and
importantly, to be seen to maintain political neutrality while fulfilling
the requirements of their role within the NZDF.

b. Members of the NZDF are to ensure that when exercising their right to
participate in political activities, they conduct themselves in a manner
is seen to remain politically neutral.

c. Members of the NZDF must exercise judgement as to whether, when or how
to express their political and personal views. For example they are not
to: (1) express their personal views in a manner that could be taken as a
comment in their official capacity; (2) indulge in personal attacks on
Members of Parliament; d. Members of the Armed Forces in uniform are not
to take an active part in the proceedings of political meetings.

e. Members of the Armed Forces who have advised of their intention to
stand for election to Parliament and are actively electioneering may be
required to proceed on AL, LWOP or leave of absence at any time prior to
nomination day.

 

8.Whether the NZDF has completed an assessment or ongoing monitoring of
Tim Costley’s compliance with any Code of Conduct obligations,
particularly given public comments made on social media platforms by the
service person about local MP Terisa Ngobi, the Labour Party and
Government policy.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Drew Mackenzie-Kay

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[4][FOI #21148 email]

 

Is [5][NZDF request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to New Zealand Defence Force? If so, please contact
us using this form:

[6]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[7]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The information contained in this Internet Email message is intended for
the addressee only and may contain privileged information, but not
necessarily the official views or opinions of the New Zealand Defence
Force.  If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose,
copy or
distribute this message or the information in it.  If you have received
this message in error, please Email or telephone the sender immediately.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
2. mailto:[FOI #21148 email]
3. mailto:[NZDF request email]
4. mailto:[FOI #21148 email]
5. mailto:[NZDF request email]
6. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
7. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Good morning Drew Mackenzie-Kay

 

Please find attached a response to your request.

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[1]www.nzdf.mil.nz

From: Ministerial Services
Sent: Friday, 18 November 2022 10:56 a.m.
To: '[FOI #21148 email]'
<[FOI #21148 email]>
Subject: (Unclassified) Official Information request - NZDF Conflict of
Interest Handling Procedures

 

Good morning

 

Your request below has been received and a decision on your request will
be provided as soon as possible and no later than 16 December 2022.
Responses to requests for information that are considered to be in the
wider public interest will be published on the New Zealand Defence Force
website ([2]www.nzdf.mil.nz).

 

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[3]www.nzdf.mil.nz

-----Original Message-----

From: Drew Mackenzie-Kay
[[4]mailto:[FOI #21148 email]]

Sent: Friday, 18 November 2022 9:43 a.m.

To: Ministerial Services <[5][NZDF request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - NZDF Conflict of Interest Handling
Procedures

 

Dear New Zealand Defence Force,

 

This request for information concerns the potential misuse of public
resources by current service person, former National Party candidate,
National Part prospective Candidate and current National Party Otaki
Electorate Chair Tim Costley. I have received information that Wing
Commander Tim Costley may have (a) misused his authority as an Airforce
officer to use aircraft flights for his own personal benefit to attend
National Party Events, and (b) promoted national party and personal
interests during paid Airforce engagements.

 

In accordance with the Official Information Act, can you please supply the
following information:

 

1. Confirmation of any Defence Force aircraft flight movements where Tim
Costley was the pilot in command, a member of flight crew, or carried as a
passenger on the following dates (which correspond with National Party
Events):

• 7,8,9 and 10 May 2021, with Napier being the arrival or departure
location • 6, 7, 8 and 9 August 2021, with Auckland being the arrival or
departure location • 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 August 2022, with Christchurch
being the arrival or departure location

 

2. Details of the aircraft involved, the operational purpose and approvals
of any relevant flight movements noted above

 

3. If carried as a passenger on any flight movement noted above, whether
Tim Costley was ‘on duty’ or not

 

4. The estimated hourly running cost for each flight movement outlined
above

 

5. Whether Tim Costley was approved (and by who) to appear at the
following day-time events as a representative of the airforce, and whether
he took paid or unpaid ‘leave’ or not:

 

21 or 22 October 2022 – Grey Power Horowhenua

5 October 2022 - Electra Business Breakfast

25 August 2022 – Probus

28 July 2022 -Otaihanga lunchtime event with Shane Reti

24 March 2022 – Full day with Chris Luxon

21 March 2022 – Full day with Nicola Willis

9 February 2022 – Full day with Simeon Brown, in Levin and in Peka Peka

17 or 18 November 2021 – Judith Collins in Waikanae

16 November 2021 – University of Otago MBA presentation

11 November 2021 –Full day with Matt Doocey

5 November 2021 – Electra Business Breakfast

19 October 2021 – Submission to Kapiti Coast District Council

4 or 5 August 2021 – Levin Probus presentation & Kapakapanui school

8 July 2021 – Waikanae public meeting with Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis
16, 17 and 18 June 2021 – Mount Maunganui – National Party meeting

13 June 2021 – Levin lunch with Ian McKelvie

17 May 2021 – Rebus Levin

20 April 2021 – Speldhurst event with 4 MPs

 

6. All information relating to protocols or how conflicts of interest
between Tim Costley’s role as a National party Office holder / candidate
and his role within the airforce are to be managed.

 

7. Confirmation of the applicable parts of the Defence Force Code of
Conduct to service people engaging in political activities, namely
whether:

a. There is a requirement for members of the NZDF to maintain, and
importantly, to be seen to maintain political neutrality while fulfilling
the requirements of their role within the NZDF.

b. Members of the NZDF are to ensure that when exercising their right to
participate in political activities, they conduct themselves in a manner
is seen to remain politically neutral.

c. Members of the NZDF must exercise judgement as to whether, when or how
to express their political and personal views. For example they are not
to: (1) express their personal views in a manner that could be taken as a
comment in their official capacity; (2) indulge in personal attacks on
Members of Parliament; d. Members of the Armed Forces in uniform are not
to take an active part in the proceedings of political meetings.

e. Members of the Armed Forces who have advised of their intention to
stand for election to Parliament and are actively electioneering may be
required to proceed on AL, LWOP or leave of absence at any time prior to
nomination day.

 

8.Whether the NZDF has completed an assessment or ongoing monitoring of
Tim Costley’s compliance with any Code of Conduct obligations,
particularly given public comments made on social media platforms by the
service person about local MP Terisa Ngobi, the Labour Party and
Government policy.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Drew Mackenzie-Kay

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[6][FOI #21148 email]

 

Is [7][NZDF request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to New Zealand Defence Force? If so, please contact
us using this form:

[8]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[9]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The information contained in this Internet Email message is intended for
the addressee only and may contain privileged information, but not
necessarily the official views or opinions of the New Zealand Defence
Force.  If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose,
copy or
distribute this message or the information in it.  If you have received
this message in error, please Email or telephone the sender immediately.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
2. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
3. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
4. mailto:[FOI #21148 email]
5. mailto:[NZDF request email]
6. mailto:[FOI #21148 email]
7. mailto:[NZDF request email]
8. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
9. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Link: [1]File-List
Link: [2]Edit-Time-Data

Please note a correction to the response.

 

The sentence that reads: “Note, the named officer was not an electorate
officeholder for a political party or nominated as a candidate for a
parliamentary election during the time of the events you have identified”
is corrected to: Note, the named officer was not nominated as a candidate
for a parliamentary election during the time of the events you have
identified.

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[3]www.nzdf.mil.nz

 

 

 

 

From: Ministerial Services
Sent: Thursday, 15 December 2022 10:28 a.m.
To: '[FOI #21148 email]'
<[FOI #21148 email]>
Subject: (Unclassified) Official Information request - NZDF Conflict of
Interest Handling Procedures

 

Good morning Drew Mackenzie-Kay

 

Please find attached a response to your request.

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[4]www.nzdf.mil.nz

From: Ministerial Services
Sent: Friday, 18 November 2022 10:56 a.m.
To: '[FOI #21148 email]'
<[5][FOI #21148 email]>
Subject: (Unclassified) Official Information request - NZDF Conflict of
Interest Handling Procedures

 

Good morning

 

Your request below has been received and a decision on your request will
be provided as soon as possible and no later than 16 December 2022.
Responses to requests for information that are considered to be in the
wider public interest will be published on the New Zealand Defence Force
website ([6]www.nzdf.mil.nz).

 

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[7]www.nzdf.mil.nz

-----Original Message-----

From: Drew Mackenzie-Kay
[[8]mailto:[FOI #21148 email]]

Sent: Friday, 18 November 2022 9:43 a.m.

To: Ministerial Services <[9][NZDF request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - NZDF Conflict of Interest Handling
Procedures

 

Dear New Zealand Defence Force,

 

This request for information concerns the potential misuse of public
resources by current service person, former National Party candidate,
National Part prospective Candidate and current National Party Otaki
Electorate Chair Tim Costley. I have received information that Wing
Commander Tim Costley may have (a) misused his authority as an Airforce
officer to use aircraft flights for his own personal benefit to attend
National Party Events, and (b) promoted national party and personal
interests during paid Airforce engagements.

 

In accordance with the Official Information Act, can you please supply the
following information:

 

1. Confirmation of any Defence Force aircraft flight movements where Tim
Costley was the pilot in command, a member of flight crew, or carried as a
passenger on the following dates (which correspond with National Party
Events):

• 7,8,9 and 10 May 2021, with Napier being the arrival or departure
location • 6, 7, 8 and 9 August 2021, with Auckland being the arrival or
departure location • 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 August 2022, with Christchurch
being the arrival or departure location

 

2. Details of the aircraft involved, the operational purpose and approvals
of any relevant flight movements noted above

 

3. If carried as a passenger on any flight movement noted above, whether
Tim Costley was ‘on duty’ or not

 

4. The estimated hourly running cost for each flight movement outlined
above

 

5. Whether Tim Costley was approved (and by who) to appear at the
following day-time events as a representative of the airforce, and whether
he took paid or unpaid ‘leave’ or not:

 

21 or 22 October 2022 – Grey Power Horowhenua

5 October 2022 - Electra Business Breakfast

25 August 2022 – Probus

28 July 2022 -Otaihanga lunchtime event with Shane Reti

24 March 2022 – Full day with Chris Luxon

21 March 2022 – Full day with Nicola Willis

9 February 2022 – Full day with Simeon Brown, in Levin and in Peka Peka

17 or 18 November 2021 – Judith Collins in Waikanae

16 November 2021 – University of Otago MBA presentation

11 November 2021 –Full day with Matt Doocey

5 November 2021 – Electra Business Breakfast

19 October 2021 – Submission to Kapiti Coast District Council

4 or 5 August 2021 – Levin Probus presentation & Kapakapanui school

8 July 2021 – Waikanae public meeting with Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis
16, 17 and 18 June 2021 – Mount Maunganui – National Party meeting

13 June 2021 – Levin lunch with Ian McKelvie

17 May 2021 – Rebus Levin

20 April 2021 – Speldhurst event with 4 MPs

 

6. All information relating to protocols or how conflicts of interest
between Tim Costley’s role as a National party Office holder / candidate
and his role within the airforce are to be managed.

 

7. Confirmation of the applicable parts of the Defence Force Code of
Conduct to service people engaging in political activities, namely
whether:

a. There is a requirement for members of the NZDF to maintain, and
importantly, to be seen to maintain political neutrality while fulfilling
the requirements of their role within the NZDF.

b. Members of the NZDF are to ensure that when exercising their right to
participate in political activities, they conduct themselves in a manner
is seen to remain politically neutral.

c. Members of the NZDF must exercise judgement as to whether, when or how
to express their political and personal views. For example they are not
to: (1) express their personal views in a manner that could be taken as a
comment in their official capacity; (2) indulge in personal attacks on
Members of Parliament; d. Members of the Armed Forces in uniform are not
to take an active part in the proceedings of political meetings.

e. Members of the Armed Forces who have advised of their intention to
stand for election to Parliament and are actively electioneering may be
required to proceed on AL, LWOP or leave of absence at any time prior to
nomination day.

 

8.Whether the NZDF has completed an assessment or ongoing monitoring of
Tim Costley’s compliance with any Code of Conduct obligations,
particularly given public comments made on social media platforms by the
service person about local MP Terisa Ngobi, the Labour Party and
Government policy.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Drew Mackenzie-Kay

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[10][FOI #21148 email]

 

Is [11][NZDF request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to New Zealand Defence Force? If so, please contact
us using this form:

[12]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[13]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The information contained in this Internet Email message is intended for
the addressee only and may contain privileged information, but not
necessarily the official views or opinions of the New Zealand Defence
Force.  If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose,
copy or
distribute this message or the information in it.  If you have received
this message in error, please Email or telephone the sender immediately.

References

Visible links
1. file:///tmp/cid:filelist.xml@01D91084.563F0B40
2. file:///tmp/cid:editdata.mso
3. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
4. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
5. mailto:[FOI #21148 email]
6. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
7. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
8. mailto:[FOI #21148 email]
9. mailto:[NZDF request email]
10. mailto:[FOI #21148 email]
11. mailto:[NZDF request email]
12. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
13. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections