24 January 2023
James
[FYI request #21398 email]
File No: DOIA 2223-1297
Dear James,
I refer to your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA) received on 13 December
2022 requesting the following information from Immigration New Zealand (INZ):
“Since January 1st 2020, how many people are stil waiting to be deported after being served
a initial deportation notice at least 2 or more years ago and have a drug conviction and
minimum sentence of 5 years or greater?”.
Our Response
Your request is being refused under section 18(e) of the OIA as the information requested does not
exist. INZ emailed you on 23 December 2022, advising you that INZ did not hold the information you
have requested and asked if you wanted to rescope your request. You did not respond to this
request.
INZ’s case management system was initially configured to enable the reporting of actionable
outcomes, i.e. when certain actions or activities actually occurred, such as when a deportation order
was served. Hence it cannot report on offence types and sentences received as that information is
not required to be recorded.
Please note that there are a number of factors as to why those who have been convicted of an
offence, served a deportation order and serving a term of imprisonment might still be in New
Zealand. They may still be serving their sentence in prison and will be deported upon release on
parole or at the completion of their sentence. Some individuals may have lodged an appeal against
their deportation with the Immigration and Protection Tribunal (Tribunal). When an appeal is
lodged with the Tribunal, Immigration New Zealand is unable to proceed with any deportation action
until the Tribunal has made a decision on their appeal.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of my response by the Ombudsman, whose
address for contact purposes is:
The Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman
P O Box 10-152
WELLINGTON
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contact
[email address].
Yours sincerely,
Richard Owen
General Manager – Verification and Compliance
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
