133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
23 November 2023
Kylie
By email: [FYI request #24549 email]
Ref: H2023032643
Tēnā koe Kylie
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 27 October 2023 for:
“Has the agency or any staff received external or internal instruction, direction or
guidance, written or oral, to prepare, develop, review or edit briefings to incoming
ministers with a view to removing the use of the word ‘Aotearoa’ or other te Reo Māori? If
so, what was the instruction received (either copies of meeting minutes/emails/other
document or via a summary of the memory of staff involved in the discussion(s).”
As a public service department, Manatū Hauora serves the government of the day. Once a new
government is formed and sworn in, the Ministry will take direction from and serve that
government. The incumbent Government is currently operating under the caretaker convention,
and you can read more about what this means for both the Government and public sector
agencies in Cabinet Office Circular at:
www.dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2023-10/co-23-10-
government-decision-makingiduring-caretaker-period.pdf.
Briefings to Incoming Ministers (BIMs) provide essential insights into portfolio complexities and
nuances for incoming ministers to make informed decisions swiftly. Government agencies, such
as Manatū Hauora, play a crucial role in ensuring that these documents provide clarity to foster
effective decision-making and seamless transition for the incoming government. Ensuring that
appropriate language is used is an important aspect of this, particularly in the health sector
where there is a large amount of medical terminology, and te reo Māori is referenced throughout
it.
A small number of staff have led the drafting of the Ministry’s BIMs and I note that at the time of
your request they were not finalised. There has been no instruction to staff to remove the use of
te reo Māori from the BIMs. Manatū Hauora does not hold any information in scope of your
request, as such your request is refused under section 18(e) of the Act. 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-
official-information-act-requests. Nāku noa, nā
Steve Waldegrave
Associate Deputy Director-General Strategy, Policy and Legislation |
Te Pou Rautaki
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