17 November 2023
John Luke
[FYI request #24718 email]
Dear John
Official Information Request
Our Ref: OIA 2023-0270
I refer to your official information request received on 12 November 2023 for:
“I noted,
https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/role-and-purpose/spirit-of-service/public-service-day-
awards/public-service-day-awards-2023/
May I kindly ask how many nomination you have received for the medal and how many you
have received for the Public Service Commissioner's Commendation for Excellence.
What is your nomination process and what is your definition of public servants, e.g. who can be
nominate?’
Information being withheld
The New Zealand Public Service Medal is a meritorious service award of the New Zealand Royal
Honours System. Protecting the confidentiality of material about Honours nominations and
appointments is essential to maintaining the integrity of the New Zealand Royal Honours system. In
particular, the protection of such information ensures that those engaging with the Honours system
can rely on the confidentiality of the process.
Successive Ombudsmen have considered that information relating to the Royal Honours system may
be withheld under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) because there is a strong public interest in
the protection of the confidentiality of the Royal Honours process.
Accordingly, I am withholding the number of nominations received for the Public Service Medal and
the Public Service Commissioners Commendation for Excellence under the fol owing sections of the
Official Information Act:
• section 9(2)(ba)(ii) - to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence and
to make it available would be likely to otherwise damage the public interest;
• section 9(2)(f)(iv) - to maintain the constitutional conventions that protect the confidentiality
of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials.
Level 10, RBNZ Building | 2 The Terrace | PO Box 329
Wel ington 6140 | New Zealand
Phone +64 4 495 6600
Publicly available information
The nomination process along with the definition of a public servant (for the purposes of the Public
Service Day Awards) is publicly available on our website at the link provided in the below table:
Item
Document Description
Website Address
1
Public Service Day Awards
Public Service Day Awards - Te Kawa Mataaho
Public Service Commission
Accordingly, I have refused this part of your request for the information listed in the above table under
section 18(d) of the OIA on the grounds the information is publicly available.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[email address]. 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.
Please note that we intend to publish this letter (with your personal details removed) on the Te Kawa
Mataaho Public Service Commission’s website.
Yours sincerely
Nicky Dirks
Manager – Ministerial and Executive Services
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
Document Outline
