HUD2023-001771
John Luke
[FYI request #21873 email]
Tēnā koe John
Thank you for your email to Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities on 18 February 2023 requesting
the following information under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the Act):
I noted, www.hud.govt.nz/news/31-ngongotaha-road-purchased-through-land-for-housing-
new/ "The development is for approximately 350 homes. HUD has entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Watchman Residential to progress design and
consenting works." May I request a full copy of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
On 23 February 2023, this request was transferred to Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing
and Urban Development to respond.
The MOU we have with Watchman Residential is withheld in full under section 9(2)(j) of the Act, to
enable a Minister of the Crown or any public service agency or organisation holding the information
to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial
negotiations).
It may interest you to know that, as well as the link you noted above, there is more information about
this development available on our website at:
www.hud.govt.nz/news/new-development-will-help-
address-housing-shortage-in-rotorua/ and:
www.hud.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/Ngongota
ha-Road-public-information-pack-26-January-2023.pdf.
In terms of section 9(1) of the Act, I am satisfied that, in the circumstances, the decision to withhold
information under section 9 of the Act is not outweighed by other considerations that render it
desirable to make the information available in the public interest.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of my response by the Ombudsman, in
accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details can be found on the Ombudsman’s
website at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
As part of our ongoing commitment to openness and transparency, the Ministry proactively releases
information and documents that may be of interest to the public. As such, this response, with your
personal details removed, may be published on our website.
Nāku noa, nā
Matt Fraser
Head of Land Acquisition and Development
