11 November 2024
Shane Gibson
[FYI request #21681 email]
Tēnā koe Shane
Official Information Act (OIA) Investigation – Request for payments to al suppliers for 2021/22
Following the Ombudsman’s investigation of our decision on your OIA request [REF 1309370] for
information regarding payments to all suppliers for 2021/22, we has reconsidered its decision.
We withheld the information requested under section 18(f) of the OIA on the basis that it could not
be made available without substantial collation or research. However, as the information you
requested had already been collated in one place, section 18(f) of the OIA did not apply. I
apologise for this error.
We maintain the need to continue withholding the information as it comprises over 15,000 lines of
data which must be checked line by line for privacy reasons, due to personal details being included
in the information. This would be a substantial administrative task to undertake, and would have a
detrimental effect on the ability of the individuals concerned to carry out their core functions.
On that basis, we consider the information should be withheld under section 16(2)(a) of the OIA, as
meeting your request in the manner requested would impair efficient administration; and section
16(1)(e) of the OIA, as we can provide an excerpt or summary of the information you requested via
our Annual Review. We note that at the time of your request this report was not available.
The 2021/22 Annual Review is linked below. The information in your area of interest is covered in
questions 68,69,72 and 73, on pages 92-116:
Ministry of Education (responses to written questions 1-220) - New Zealand Parliament
(www.parliament.nz)
I apologise again for the error and the inconvenience this may have caused you. We will use this
as learning opportunity in considering the appropriate use and application of withholding grounds
under the OIA going forward. We have provided the Ombudsman with a copy of this letter.
You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision on your request, in accordance
with section 28 of the OIA. You can do this by writing to
[email address] or to
Of ice of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Our reference: 1311218
Ngā mihi
Lorraine Monahan
Manager Ministerial Services
Te Pou Rangatōpū
