13 January 2023
P Taylor
[FYI request #21354 email]
Ref: OIA-2022/23-0399
Dear P Taylor
Official Information Act request for communications with Stuff regarding the project
“Stuff: The Whole Truth” between 1 April 2021 and 1 January 2022
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on
6 December 2022. You requested:
“1. In the "COVID-19 Disinformation and harmful content" document (dated 18
November 2021), section 29, it states: "The COVID-19 Group and the Ministry of
Health also work jointly on providing guidance to the health sector, education sector,
businesses, community leaders and the public on responding to COVID-19 mis- and
disinformation."
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffyi.org.nz%2Fre
quest%2F20099%2Fresponse%2F76770%2Fattach%2F5%2F4605435%2520RELEA
SE%2520COVID%252019%2520Disinformation%2520and%2520harmful%2520conte
nt.PDF.pdf&data=05%7C01%7Cinformation%40dpmc.govt.nz%7C2aa5432081684c49
33dd08dad76e691e%7Ceea6053309ef4b7a94060f38551cc613%7C0%7C0%7C63805
9166904183288%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoi
V2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ienyM
V0PpQ9w3OiZObcir1hBcTypUEYpsLCmjRmaKDQ%3D&reserved=0
2. In the same document in section 30, it states: "Examples of the COVID-19
communications activity to respond to misinformation include:", and under a bullet
point, "Supporting projects like Stuff: The Whole Truth".
3. I would like to request all information associated with supporting the "Stuff: The
Whole Truth" project, be it in the form of reports or communications or any other
transmitted medium, between the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and
Stuff Limited over the period of 01 April 2021 and 01 January 2022.”
The “Stuff: The Whole Truth” project was independent of, and not funded by, the COVID-19
response. As is usual practice, media organisations can request verification of official
information through existing media and communication channels and the Official Information
Act process. During the period that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
(DPMC) was responsible for strategic communication and coordination and communications
to address COVID-19 mis and disinformation, officials met with the Stuff project team.
On 16 November 2022, that function moved from DPMC to the Ministry of Health.
We have undertaken a search of our systems and we have only identified one item, the
email chain
Re: Catch up on COVID-19 vaccine programme support The Whole Truth, within
scope of your request.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4692173
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
I have decided to release this document, subject to information being withheld under the
following sections of the Act:
• 6(d), to maintain the safety of any person; and
• 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of individuals.
In making my decision, I have taken the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of the
Act into account.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
This response will be published on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s
website during our regular publication cycle. Typically, information is released monthly, or as
otherwise determined. Your personal information including name and contact details will be
removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Julie Knauf
Acting Deputy Chief Executive
COVID-19 Group
4692173
2