133 Molesworth
Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
20 September 2023
Erika Whittome
By email: [FYI request #23931 email]
Ref:
H2023031006
Tēnā koe Erika
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 23 August 2023. You requested:
“1. What advice did the Ministry of Health to give employers for employees raising
safety concerns to the Employer/PCBU regarding the Pfizer vaccination?
2. What advice did the Ministry of Health give to employers for staff raising any
personal grievances on that matter in relation to the Covid 19 Public Health Response
(vaccinations) Order 2021?
Please could I have the minutes, emails and any correspondence, policy documents,
and advice documents for these? I would also like a copy of any document templates
or information packs created for sharing such advice with employers.”
On 11 September 2023 you were contacted by Manatū Hauora in order to provide context
relevant to your request and clarify the information you are interested in. The clarification
sent by Manatū Hauora is copied below:
“Employee situations were run out of the Ministry of Innovation, Business and
Employment (MBIE). Manatū Hauora did not provide direct advice to
employers/employees. MBIE papers and websites are publicly available and that is
about all of the information we hold. This request aligns more with the functions of
MBIE. As such, could you please clarify if you seeking advice from MBIE or Manatū
Hauora in regard to advice for employers on vaccine safety and personal grievances?”
Manatū Hauora followed up on this clarification email on 18 September 2023 and on the
same date, you replied:
This request is to the ministry of health.
Manatū Hauora has not provided information or advice to employers directly. As such your
request is refused under section 18(g)(i) of the Act as the information requested is not held.
Manatū Hauora provided MBIE with some COVID-19 Public Health advice. As previously
advised, providing advice to employers and employee situations falls within the
responsibilities of MBIE.
You may be interested in MBIE papers and websites which are publicly available at:
www.mbie.govt.nz/.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel
free to contact the OIA Services Team on: [email address].
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-of icial-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Brian Watson
COVID-19 Policy
Public Health Agency | Te Pou Hauora Tūmatanui
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