22 December 2023

Our Ref: C55573
By email: [FYI request #24707 email]
Tēnā koe, John,
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA): Compensation/spending policies
We refer to your request made via email dated 11 November 2023 in which you requested the
following:
REA's full board meeting minutes from 1st Jan 2022 to 11th Nov 2023.
We have considered your request under the OIA. On 6 December 2023 we notified you of an
extension for our time to respond to your request to 22 December 2023.
Information being released
We have made a decision to release the documents captured by your request to you, subject
to withholding certain information under the withholding grounds outlined below.
We note that some of the documents included are unsigned versions of the minutes, noting
that the signed versions were in a format that made redaction and release challenging. I can
confirm the content is identical.
The information released to you is attached.
Information not being released
Where information has been redacted it has been withheld under:

section 6(c) of the OIA as making the information available would be likely to prejudice
the maintenance of the law including the investigation and detection of offences and
the right to a fair trial;

section 9(2)(a) of the OIA because the withholding of information is required to protect
the privacy of natural persons;

section 9(2)(b)(ii) of the OIA as releasing the information would unreasonably
prejudice the commercial position of the parties;

section 9(2)(ba) of the OIA to protect information which is subject to an obligation of
confidence and its release would likely prejudice the supply of similar information and
its supply is in the public interest, or would be likely to otherwise damage the public
interest;

section 9(2)(g) of the OIA as the withholding of the information is justified as it related
to free and frank expression of opinions by members or officers of a public service
agency in the course of their duty;


section 9(2)(h) of the OIA as the withholding of the information is necessary to
maintain legal professional privilege; and

section 9(2)(i) of the OIA as releasing the information would unreasonably prejudice
the ability to carry out commercial activities.
We note that a number of names of internal staff and third parties have been withheld as we
were unable to consult with them about the release of their names, as required by the REA’s
Official Information Act Policy.
Next steps
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please contact me by email at [REA request email].
Nāku iti noa, nā
Herman Visagie
General Counsel

Document Outline