PO Box 14001
Christchurch 8544
New Zealand
Telephone (+64 3) 358 5029
christchurchairport.co.nz
25 October 2023
Sue Nyhof
Email: c/-
[FYI request #23869 email]
Dear Ms Nyhof
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT 1982 (OIA) – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - CHRISTCHURCH
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LIMITED (CIAL)
1.
We write further to our email of 14 September 2023, responding to your request of 17 August 2023
(via the third party public platform fyi.org.nz) for the following information pursuant to the OIA:
"... all correspondence, presentations, meeting notes and documents which include reference to
climate change, in the last 12 months,” (the
Request)
2.
On 26 September 2023 you clarified your request to:
“…copies of any of the following containing keywords "climate change" AND either "Tarras" or
"Central Otago Airport" during the last 12 months:
1. Emails to or from any member of the CIAL executive
2. Memos or briefings from or to or copying Michael Singleton, Rhys Boswell or the CEO,”
3.
You also noted “
It is most unreasonable that you waited 20 working days to tell me that my request
was too broad. Wouldn't it be more community friendly if you let me know that a few days after
receipt?” CIAL has recently received multiple requests for information via fyi.org.nz website. Many
of these requests appear to be related and the volume significantly exceeds what CIAL would expect
to receive in the ordinary course of its business. Nonetheless, it has still responded to your request
within 20 working days (as per our statutory obligations).
4.
CIAL considers your Request to still be too broad in scope and therefore, is unable to provide you
with this level of information. This Request could cover a substantial amount of material including
emails all of which would need to be identified, extracted and then assembled from multiple sources.
To do so, would involve the diversion of personnel for a substantial period of time to research and
collate the information you are requesting, impacting on CIAL’s ability to carry out other operations.
5.
Therefore, your Request is refused under Section 18(f) of the OIA.
6.
CIAL has considered whether it is possible to provide you with a summary of information.
Sustainability is a significant part of CIAL’s business activity and is a core focus for all parts of the
business and all members of the executive – including both Michael Singleton and Rhys Boswell and
Justin Watson as current Chief Executive and his predecessor Malcolm Johns. Information within
scope of your request is likely to include:
•
Documents, meeting notes, agendas, correspondence and reports covering the whole
organisation,
•
Information related to media requests, responses and coverage,
•
Internal communications where updates are provided on both topics,
•
Expert opinion and analysis for the Project, and
•
Information shared with the Project team as potentially relevant background information.
7.
We note that media coverage is publicly available and includes parts or all of our responses. Draft
responses prepared for the purpose of discussion and comment in order to ensure they are accurate
and complete and would likely be refused under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the OIA. Equally, any internal
comments made by CIAL employees about the media questions, coverage or draft responses would
likely be withheld under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the OIA. Expert opinion and analysis, and information
shared as potentially relevant background information, is likely to be withheld in order to allow CIAL
to carry out its commercial activities or negotiations without prejudice or disadvantage under section
9(2)(i) and 9(2)(j) of the OIA.
8.
CIAL has considered whether charging or extending the timeframe for responding to your request
would help, as required by section 18A of the OIA. However, given the size of the request, the
availability of publicly available information and media coverage, and the likelihood that drafts,
commentary and commercial information would be withheld, we do not believe this to be a viable
option.
9.
We trust we have answered your requests for information. If you require any further information or
we have in some way misinterpreted your requests, please let us know.
10. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the decisions contained
in this letter. Information about how to contact the Ombudsman or make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
CIAL LEGAL TEAM
Email: [Christchurch International Airport Limited request email]
