Mr Harris Leigh
[FYI request #21975 email]
27 March 2023
Dear Mr Leigh
Official Information Request
Reference MOIA 2023-0043
I refer to your official information request dated 2 March 2023 where you asked:
“Under the OIA I seek copies of any information you hold relating to the application of
the Code of Conduct for Crown Entity Members
(https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/guidan...) to the writings of the current Chair of the
ACC.
I also seek any information held relating to comments by the ACC Chair such as:
"The previous National government had to deal with an unanticipated event of their own
in the form of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. They got the books back in balance but
at the cost of ignoring almost everything else. " And "Labour is the battle-hardened team
that can get the job done." https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politic...
"In other words, if it is change voters want, they need look no further than the current
Government." https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politic...
"This is where Trump, Johnson, Morrison, and other assorted clowns come into play"
[referring to conservative leaders of the USA, UK and Australia]
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/30064184...
I also seek any information you might hold on whether the preponderance of political
comments by a Crown Entity board member may create an impression of political
partisanship even if any one comment is excusable”.
Response
As at the date of your request, I did not hold any information regarding the application of the
Code of Conduct for Crown Entity Members in respect of the writings of the ACC Board Chair,
Hon Steve Maharey. Accordingly, I have refused your request under section 18(e) of the
Of icial Information Act 1982 on the grounds that the information requested does not exist.
However, on 6 March 2023 I requested advice on the appropriateness of Mr Maharey’s opinion
pieces and any other similar public commentary by him, from the Public Service Commissioner
(Commissioner) and asked what, if any, action might be taken.
Please find outlined in the table below the advice I received from the Public Service
Commissioner on 7 March 2023, which is publicly available on Te Kawa Mataaho Public
Service Commission’s website at the link provided in the table.
Date
Document Description
Website Address
7 March 2023
Political Neutrality Advice
https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/assets/DirectoryF
ile/Political-Neutrality-Advice.pdf
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact Christina Connolly @
[email address]
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Hon Andrew Little MP
Minister for the Public Service
Document Outline
