133 Molesworth
Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
13 April 2023
Al
By email: [FYI request #22082 email]
Ref:
H2023021776
Tēnā koe Al
Response to 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 14 March 2023 for information regarding COVID-19
Technical Advisory Group (TAG) minutes. You requested:
“Could I please be sent the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group minutes for all
meetings held from January 2021 to December 2021?
And any meetings held to date from 2023."
Appended to this letter are the COVID-19 TAG (Technical Advisory Group) minutes held in
2021 and to date of this request. All documents are itemised in Appendix 1 and copies of the
documents are enclosed, where information is publicly the link is provided. Where
information is withheld, this is outlined in the Appendix and noted in the document itself.
Where information is withheld under section 9 of the Act, I have considered the
countervailing public interest in release in making this decision and consider that it does not
outweigh the need to withhold at this time.
I trust this information fulfils your request. 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.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-
releases/responses-official-information-act-requests. Nāku noa, nā
Michelle Mako
Acting Deputy Director-General Public Health Agency | Te Pou Hauora Tūmatanui
Appendix 1: List of documents for release
#
Date
Document details
Decision on release
1
5 February 2021 – 25
COVID-19 TAG Minutes
Some information withheld under
June 2021
the following sections of the Act:
• section 9(2)(b)(ii) where
is release would likely
unreasonably prejudice
the commercial position
of the person who
supplied the information;
• Section 9(f)(iv) to
maintain the
constitutional conventions
that protect the
confidentiality of advice
tendered by Ministers
and officials; and
• Section 9(2)(k) to prevent
the disclosure or use of
official information for
improper gain or
advantage.
2
23 July 2021
COVID-19 TAG Minutes
Some information withheld under
section 9(2)(k) of the Act.
3
20 August 2021 – 22
COVID-19 TAG Minutes
Publicly available here:
October 2021
https://fyi.org.nz/request/16691/r
esponse/70341/attach/7/Appendi
x%203.pdf.
4
12 November 2021
COVID-19 TAG Minutes
Some information withheld under
section 9(2)(k) of the Act.
5
10 December 2021
COVID-19 TAG Minutes
6
10 February 2023
COVID-19 TAG Minutes
Some information withheld under
the following sections of the Act:
• section 9(2)(g)(i) to
maintain the effective
conduct of public affairs
through the free and
frank expression of
opinions by or between or
to Ministers and officers
and employees of any
public service agency;
and
• section 9(2)(k) of the Act.
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