133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
3 February 2023
Katherine Raue
By email: [FYI request #21684 email]
Ref:
H2023019790
Tēnā koe Katherine
Transfer of 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 31 January 2023. You requested:
“
… all information regarding the "traditional maori korowai" adorning the plinth in pride of
place in the atrium of Wellington hospital, including all communication, and all information
regarding consultation, sourcing, and installation of this hideous monstrosity, and the large
plaque placed prominently in front of the piece of pounamu on top of the plinth.
Who created it? What consultation was undertaken? - please provide all information
regarding the consultation, and all communication, undertaken in regard to the installation
of this piece of synthetic fake fur that is referred to by Wellington Hospital as a "traditional
maori korowai". How much money was spent on the sourcing and installation of this
cheap nasty piece of synthetic rubbish? … I specifically request copies of these images
and any other images of the "traditional maori korowai", and information regarding what
type of feathers adorn the top of it.”
The requested information is held by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand. For this reason, I
have decided to transfer your request to Te Whatu Ora under section 14(b)(i) of the Act. You
can expect a response from Te Whatu Ora in due course.
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.
Nāku noa, na
Jan Torres
Acting Manager, OIA Services
Government and Executive Services | Te Pou Whakatere Kāwanatanga
COPY OF OIA REQUEST
From:KatherineRaue<[FYI request #21684 email]>
Sent:Tuesday,31January2023 4:52 pm
To: Info MOH <[Health New Zealand request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Information regarding installation of "traditional maori
korowai" in foyer of Wellington hospital
Dear Health New Zealand,
I request all information regarding the "traditional maori korowai" adorning the plinth in pride
of place in the atrium of Wellington hospital, including all communication, and all information
regarding consultation, sourcing, and installation of this hideous monstrosity, and the large
plaque placed prominently in front of the piece of pounamu on top of the plinth.
Who created it?
What consultation was undertaken? - please provide all information regarding the consultation,
and all communication, undertaken in regard to the installation of this piece of synthetic fake fur
that is referred to by Wellington Hospital as a "traditional maori korowai".
How much money was spent on the sourcing and installation of this cheap nasty piece of
synthetic rubbish?
This request was made to specific staff at Wellington hospital months ago. Since then images of
the "traditional korowai" and social media posts featuring images of it have been removed from
the internet. I specifically request copies of these images and any other images of the
"traditional maori korowai", and information regarding what type of feathers adorn the top of it.
Other evidence of the standard of tikanga at what used to be CCDHB, including photographs of
the 'traditional maori cloak' can be found at this link: Dear Health New Zealand,
I request all information regarding the "traditional maori korowai" adorning the plinth in pride
of place in the atrium of Wellington hospital, including all communication, and all information
regarding consultation, sourcing, and installation of this hideous monstrosity, and the large
plaque placed prominently in front of the piece of pounamu on top of the plinth.
Who created it?
What consultation was undertaken? - please provide all information regarding the consultation,
and all communication, undertaken in regard to the installation of this piece of synthetic fake fur
that is referred to by Wellington Hospital as a "traditional maori korowai".
How much money was spent on the sourcing and installation of this cheap nasty piece of
synthetic rubbish?
This request was made to specific staff at Wellington hospital months ago. Since then images of
Page 2 of 3
the "traditional korowai" and social media posts featuring images of it have been removed from
the internet. I specifically request copies of these images and any other images of the
"traditional maori korowai", and information regarding what type of feathers adorn the top of it.
Other evidence of the standard of tikanga at what used to be CCDHB, including photographs of
the 'traditional maori cloak' can be found at this link: Dear Health New Zealand,
I request all information regarding the "traditional maori korowai" adorning the plinth in pride
of place in the atrium of Wellington hospital, including all communication, and all information
regarding consultation, sourcing, and installation of this hideous monstrosity, and the large
plaque placed prominently in front of the piece of pounamu on top of the plinth.
Who created it?
What consultation was undertaken? - please provide all information regarding the consultation,
and all communication, undertaken in regard to the installation of this piece of synthetic fake fur
that is referred to by Wellington Hospital as a "traditional maori korowai".
How much money was spent on the sourcing and installation of this cheap nasty piece of
synthetic rubbish?
This request was made to specific staff at Wellington hospital months ago. Since then images of
the "traditional korowai" and social media posts featuring images of it have been removed from
the internet. I specifically request copies of these images and any other images of the
"traditional maori korowai", and information regarding what type of feathers adorn the top of it.
Other evidence of the standard of tikanga at what used to be CCDHB and is now known as Te
Whatu Ora, including photographs of the 'traditional maori cloak' can be found at this
link:
http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&d=vcTZ47Z9v18Huv0mU4S7UyfM9Lz8qsnqrSH4
8FtSAQ&u=http%3a%2f%2fhttps%2a3a%2a2f%2a2fwakaminenga%2a2eblogspot%2a2ecom%2
a2f%5f%5f%3bJSUlJSUl%21%21A3teau8g8Q%21Ujnt2Tut5FIMzVmeQxmoijNehmmD4EToHOCB
SHxYtky80ATHti3zsJVKsdeNL-4wNU8Kirv11c2WLLxgy4RwGQpiqw%24
Yours faithfully,
Katherine Raue
Page 3 of 3
