Kia ora Morris
  
Thank you for your request for official information. The reference number
for your request is: H2023031848
  
As required under the Official Information Act 1982, Manatū Hauora will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/  
  
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team
on [2][email address]. If any additional factors come to light which
are relevant to your request, please do not hesitate to contact us so that
these can be taken into account. 

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: [3][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.

 
Ngā mihi
 
OIA Services Team
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
M[4]inistry of Health information releases 
U[5]nite against COVID-19
 
 

------------------- Original Message -------------------
From: Morris Lazootin <[FOI #24188 email]>;
Received: Tue Sep 19 2023 16:15:41 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>; OIA <[email address]>;
Subject: Official Information request - Request for Information on
Schedule 4A Flavour Names List Creation and Decision Process

Dear Ministry of Health,

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act
1982 in relation to the Schedule 4A Flavour names list as detailed in the
Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Regulations 2023.

Specifically, I am seeking:

1. Details on the rationale behind the creation of this list.
2. Criteria or factors that determined the inclusion or exclusion of
specific flavours.
3. Information about the individual(s) or entity/entities responsible for
finalising this list.

I would appreciate any relevant communications, discussions, and documents
that could provide insight into these queries.

Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Morris Lazootin

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #24188 email]

Is [Ministry of Health request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests
to Ministry of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:
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page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
 

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K​ia ora Morris
 
Your request has been updated, thank you for clarifying.
 
ref: H2023031848
 
 
Ngā mihi
 
OIA Services Team
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
M[1]inistry of Health information releases 
U[2]nite against COVID-19
 
 

------------------- Original Message -------------------
From: Morris Lazootin <[FOI #24188 email]>;
Received: Thu Sep 21 2023 10:42:25 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>; OIA <[email address]>;
Subject: Re: Acknowledgement of your request for official information ref:
H2023031848 CRM:0261658

Dear OIA Requests,

I would like to clarify that I need:

1. All information held on the rationale behind the creation of this list.
2. All information held on the Criteria or factors that determined the
inclusion or exclusion of specific flavours.
3. All information held about the individual(s) or entity/entities
responsible for finalising this list

Yours sincerely,

Morris Lazootin

-----Original Message-----

Kia ora Morris
   
 Thank you for your request for official information. The reference number
 for your request is: H2023031848
   
 As required under the Official Information Act 1982, Manatū Hauora will
 endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
 the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
 timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
 here: [1]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
   
 If you have any queries, please feel free to contact the OIA Services
Team
 on [2][email address]. If any additional factors come to light which
 are relevant to your request, please do not hesitate to contact us so
that
 these can be taken into account. 

 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: [3][email address] or by calling 0800
 802 602.

  
 Ngā mihi
  
 OIA Services Team
 Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
 M[4]inistry of Health information releases 
 U[5]nite against COVID-19
  
  

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #24188 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[3]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
 

****************************************************************************
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hide quoted sections

Kia ora Morris

 

 

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) on 21 September 2023:

 

I would like to clarify that I need:

 

1. All information held on the rationale behind the creation of this list.

2. All information held on the Criteria or factors that determined the
inclusion or exclusion of specific flavours.

3. All information held about the individual(s) or entity/entities
responsible for finalising this list

 

Manatū Hauora has decided to extend the due date for responding to your
request pursuant to to section 15A(1)(b) of the Act, as consultations
necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper
response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the original time
limit.

 

You can now expect a response on, or before 9 November 2023.

 

If you have any queries regarding your request, including this decision,
please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team on
[1][email address]. If any additional factors come to light which are
relevant to your request, please do not hesitate to contact us so that
these can be taken into account. 

 

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: [2][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.

 

OIA Services Team

[3]Manatū Hauora information releases

 
[4][IMG] [5][IMG] [6][IMG] [7][IMG]

 

 

 

****************************************************************************
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legal privilege.
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If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

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hide quoted sections

 

 

Kia ora Morris

 

 

 

Please find attached a letter regarding your request for official
information. Please accept our apologies for the delay in communicating a
decision on your request.

 

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
[1][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: [2][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.

 

 

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services Team

[3]Manatū Hauora information releases

 
[4][IMG] [5][IMG] [6][IMG] [7][IMG]

 

 

 

 

 

****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

References

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2. mailto:[email address]
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5. https://twitter.com/minhealthnz
6. https://www.youtube.com/minhealthnz
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hide quoted sections

Kia ora Morris

 

 

Thank you for your email. Manatû Hauora notes your concerns and will
endeavour to provide a fulsome response to your queries as soon as
possible.

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: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.

 

 

 

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services Team

[2]Manatû Hauora information releases

 
[3][IMG] [4][IMG] [5][IMG] [6][IMG]

 

 

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Morris Lazootin <[7][FOI #24188 email]>
Sent: Monday, 13 November 2023 16:43
To: OIA Requests <[8][email address]>
Subject: Re: Response to your request for official information,
H2023031848 CRM:0261658

 

Tçnâ koe Jane,

I hope this message finds you well. I must express my concerns with the
response dated 10 November 2023 to my Official Information Act request
originally submitted on 21 September 2023. The information provided falls
short of the Act's requirements for transparency and full disclosure,
leading me to believe that my request is being unjustifiably stonewalled.

Lack of Specificity on Proactive Release:
The vague commitment to a future release of key documents is inadequate -
the Official Information Act is predicated on timely and specific
information access. The absence of a clear timeline undermines the purpose
of my request and appears to sidestep the Act’s intent. As such, I must
insist on a definitive date for the release of these documents.

Unexplained Withholding of Information:
The decision to withhold legal advice and documents under section 9(2)(h)
of the Act is noted. However, this explanation is insufficiently detailed
and lacks the requisite specificity mandated by the Act. It is imperative
that I understand precisely how this exemption applies to my request - the
Act's spirit demands more than cursory justifications for withholding
information.

Incomplete Response to Queries:
The response did not fully address my queries, particularly regarding the
criteria for flavour inclusion or exclusion. This issue is not just
procedural; it has significant implications for consumers, businesses, and
the environment in New Zealand. The sudden regulatory changes pose
substantial financial and environmental challenges, as well as potentially
conflicting with the Aotearoa's smokefree goals.

The reluctance to provide comprehensive answers is not only contrary to
the principles of the Official Information Act but also impedes my ability
to fully understand the decisions made by Manatû Hauora. If my request is
further met with incomplete or delayed responses, I will have no choice
but to consider this a deliberate obstruction and will seek recourse
through the Ombudsman’s office.

I urge a prompt and thorough response that fully addresses the specific
queries I have raised - It is imperative that the information provided is
comprehensive and in line with the principles of transparency and openness
mandated by the Official Information Act.

Ngâ mihi,

Morris Lazootin

-----Original Message-----

 

  

 Kia ora Morris

  

  

  

 Please find attached a letter regarding your request for official
 information. Please accept our apologies for the delay in communicating a
 decision on your request.

  

 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
 [1][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: [2][email address] or by calling 0800
 802 602.

  

  

 Ngâ mihi

  

 OIA Services Team

 [3]Manatû Hauora information releases

  
 [4][IMG] [5][IMG] [6][IMG] [7][IMG]

  

  

  

  

  
 
References

 Visible links
 1. [9]mailto:[email address]
 2. [10]mailto:[email address]
 3. [11]https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
 4.
[12]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
 5.
[13]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
 6.
[14]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
 7.
[15]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[16][FOI #24188 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[17]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

References

Visible links
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2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. https://www.facebook.com/minhealthnz/
4. https://twitter.com/minhealthnz
5. https://www.youtube.com/minhealthnz
6. https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministr...
7. mailto:[FOI #24188 email]
8. mailto:[email address]
9. mailto:[email
10. mailto:[email
11. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
12. https://www.facebook.com/minhealthnz/
13. https://twitter.com/minhealthnz
14. https://www.youtube.com/minhealthnz
15. https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministr...
16. mailto:[FOI #24188 email]
17. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Morris,

 

Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay. The documents and
response are currently going through the last stages of sign out and will
be with you as soon as reasonably practicable. 

 

Ngā mihi 

  

 

OIA Services Team

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 
U[2]nite against COVID-19 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Morris Lazootin <[FOI #24188 email]>
Sent: Monday, 12 February 2024 21:19
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Response to your request for official information,
H2023031848 CRM:0261658

 

Dear OIA Requests and the general public who may be reading this, just a
quick update on this request.

It's been almost three months since my initial request. After getting
initially stonewalled, and due to delayed responses, I involved the
Ombudsman.

In December the MoH promised the Ombudsman that they would send me the
requested documents in January 2024.

Would you believe it - it is currently February 2024 and I have not
received a single communication from the MoH regarding this matter - let
alone the materials I requested.

I could speak at length about how disappointed I am and how ridiculous it
is to have laws if they are not followed (especially by government
departments!), but I'm simply just lost for words.

Morris Lazootin

-----Original Message-----

Kia ora Morris

  

  

 Thank you for your email. Manatû Hauora notes your concerns and will
 endeavour to provide a fulsome response to your queries as soon as
 possible.

 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: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
 802 602.

  

  

  

 Ngâ mihi

  

 OIA Services Team

 [2]Manatû Hauora information releases

  
 [3][IMG] [4][IMG] [5][IMG] [6][IMG]

  

  

  

  

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

 From: Morris Lazootin <[7][FOI #24188 email]>
 Sent: Monday, 13 November 2023 16:43
 To: OIA Requests <[8][email address]>
 Subject: Re: Response to your request for official information,
 H2023031848 CRM:0261658

  

 Tçnâ koe Jane,

 I hope this message finds you well. I must express my concerns with the
 response dated 10 November 2023 to my Official Information Act request
 originally submitted on 21 September 2023. The information provided falls
 short of the Act's requirements for transparency and full disclosure,
 leading me to believe that my request is being unjustifiably stonewalled.

 Lack of Specificity on Proactive Release:
 The vague commitment to a future release of key documents is inadequate -
 the Official Information Act is predicated on timely and specific
 information access. The absence of a clear timeline undermines the
purpose
 of my request and appears to sidestep the Act’s intent. As such, I must
 insist on a definitive date for the release of these documents.

 Unexplained Withholding of Information:
 The decision to withhold legal advice and documents under section 9(2)(h)
 of the Act is noted. However, this explanation is insufficiently detailed
 and lacks the requisite specificity mandated by the Act. It is imperative
 that I understand precisely how this exemption applies to my request -
the
 Act's spirit demands more than cursory justifications for withholding
 information.

 Incomplete Response to Queries:
 The response did not fully address my queries, particularly regarding the
 criteria for flavour inclusion or exclusion. This issue is not just
 procedural; it has significant implications for consumers, businesses,
and
 the environment in New Zealand. The sudden regulatory changes pose
 substantial financial and environmental challenges, as well as
potentially
 conflicting with the Aotearoa's smokefree goals.

 The reluctance to provide comprehensive answers is not only contrary to
 the principles of the Official Information Act but also impedes my
ability
 to fully understand the decisions made by Manatû Hauora. If my request is
 further met with incomplete or delayed responses, I will have no choice
 but to consider this a deliberate obstruction and will seek recourse
 through the Ombudsman’s office.

 I urge a prompt and thorough response that fully addresses the specific
 queries I have raised - It is imperative that the information provided is
 comprehensive and in line with the principles of transparency and
openness
 mandated by the Official Information Act.

 Ngâ mihi,

 Morris Lazootin

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #24188 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[3]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/
3. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Morris,

 

Thank you for your patience, please find attached a letter regarding your
official information act request.

 

Ngā mihi 

  

 

OIA Services Team

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 
U[2]nite against COVID-19 

 

****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/

hide quoted sections