4 August 2023
Ref: DOIA 2324-0045
Erika Whittome
By email
: [FYI request #23406 email]
Tēnā koe Erika,
Thank you for your request received on 6 July 2023 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the fol owing
information:
The minutes, emails and any correspondence and policy documents for the decision to publish the
[below] saying the employers do not need to debate or provide detailed answers to questions
about the vaccination (Pfizer) and its safety.
“Before any vaccine is approved for use in New Zealand, it must meet international standards and
local requirements for quality, safety and efficacy. This does not mean employers need to debate
or provide detailed answers to questions about the vaccination, its safety, and/or its effectiveness
as a control against infection/transmission/severe il ness.”
I am writing to advise you that MBIE needs to extend the time available to provide you with the
documents covered by your request. MBIE’s response wil be sent to you no later than Friday 18 August
2023 (a 10 working day extension).
The reason for this extension per section 15A of the Act is that:
• your request necessitates a search through a large quantity of information and meeting the
original time limit would unreasonably interfere with our operations, and;
• consultations with the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety and a number of other
government agencies necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper
response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance,
please contact
[email address].
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the decision to extend the
time limit. Information about how to make a complaint is available a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Charlotte De Feijter
Policy Team Leader, Employment Relations Policy
Workplace Relations and Safety Policy Branch
