Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wellington
T 0800 268 787 | [email address]
justice.govt.nz
16 August 2023
C A Mattheiss
[FYI request #23552 email]
Tēnā koe
Official Information Act 1982 request
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request of 21 July 2023 to the Ministry of
Justice (the Ministry) seeking the handwritten letters of Mr Lewis Verduyn from his coronial file.
Additionally, I acknowledge your separate request to the Office of the Chief Coroner on the same
date. This has subsequently been transferred to the Ministry to respond to.
The Act requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no later than 20 working days
after the day we received your request. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet the timeframe
on this occasion. Therefore, I am writing to notify you that pursuant to section 15A(1)(b) of the Act,
an extension of the time limit is required. This is because the consultation necessary to make a
decision on your request is such that a proper response cannot be made within the original time
limit.
Due to the nature of both of your requests, the Ministry has deemed it most appropriate to provide
a single response. Please be assured that we will provide you with a response on or before 31 August
2023. I apologise for any inconvenience this delay may cause you.
If you require any further information, please contact the Ministry of Justice Media & Social Media
Manager Joe Locke on 021 636 416, or email: [email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Jacquelyn Shannon
Group Manager, Courts and Tribunals, Regional Service Delivery Ref:
106180