30 March 2023
Harris Leigh
[FYI request #22026 email]
Dear Harris
Official Information Request
Our Ref: OIA 2023-0048
I refer to your official information request received on 7 March 2023 for:
“any information you hold relating to political commentary by Mr Tim Hurdle while he was on
the board of EQC. To assist and without limiting my request I specifical y seek:
1) any internal documentation about PSC (and or SSC) consideration of the
appropriateness of Mr Hurdle's public comments while serving on the EQC board
2) any advice provided to Ministers about this issue.”
Background
Crown entity Board members are bound by the Code of Conduct for Crown Entity Board Members,
which was issued by the Public Service Commissioner (the Commissioner) under the Public Service
Act 2020 in March 2021. The Code reinforces the requirement of political neutrality which requires al
Crown entity Board members to act in a politically impartial manner, irrespective of their political
interests and can be found publicly available
here. Our Response
Publicly available information shows Mr Tim Hurdle was a member of the Earthquake Commission
board from June 2016 – June 2019. We have reviewed our records and found no advice was provided
to any Ministers and no information that Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission gave
consideration as to the appropriateness of Mr Hurdle’s public comments while he was a member of
the EQC Board. Therefore, we are refusing your request under section 18(e) of the Official Information
Act, on the grounds that the information requested does not exist.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[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.
Please note that we intend to publish this letter (with your personal details removed) on the Te Kawa
Mataaho Public Service Commission’s website.
Yours sincerely
Nicky Dirks
Manager – Ministerial and Executive Services
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
Level 10, RBNZ Building | 2 The Terrace | PO Box 329
Wel ington 6140 | New Zealand
Phone +64 4 495 6600
Document Outline
