Tēnā koe Tauranga Boys' College,

I am writing to request information under the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982. Please provide the following details pertaining to the recent prefect election:
1. The comprehensive breakdown of the prefect voting results conducted this year, including the exact number of votes received for each candidate (include name) categorized by student and staff votes.

2. Copies of text messages sent or received by staff in their official capacity, specifically those pertaining to the election or its candidates. This encompasses communications made on both personal and work phones when used for official purposes. It is noted that in a similar case, the Ombudsman has determined that personal communication methods are subject to the 'Act' if they were used in the course of official duties.

3. Copies of electronic mail (email) correspondence sent or received by staff in their official capacity, specifically related to the election or its candidates.
I request that this information be provided within the statutory time frame as outlined in the Official Information Act. If any part of this request is unclear or requires further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.

According to the Official Information Act 1982, the 'Act,' you are legally obligated to respond to this request at the earliest opportunity and no later than 20 working days after receiving it (unless an extension is granted, subject to criteria outlined in the 'Act').

Deliberate delays are not permissible. Any unlawful attempts or misconduct will be promptly and unequivocally reported to your local Ministry of Education office or the Office of the Ombudsman.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Nāku noa, nā,
Corbin Paterson
Investigative Journalist
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Please CONFIRM receipt of this email to prevent unnecessary follow-up emails and extensions being requested.
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As required by s12(1) of the Act, I am a New Zealand citizen. I will provide confirmation of this, if required. However, since all of our correspondence will be published on the FYI.org.nz site, I will only do so over the phone or email, with which you provide. This would only be for the purpose of citizenship confirmation, and nothing further related to this request.

As required by s13(c) of the Act, if this request “has not been made … to the appropriate department or Minister of the Crown or organisation or local authority”, it is your duty to give reasonable assistance to me to direct my request to the appropriate department or Minister of the Crown or organisation or local authority.

Further to the above statutory requirement, under s14 of the Act, if the information I seek is either not held or you believe it is more closely connected with another department or Minister of the Crown or organisation, or of a local authority you shall promptly, and in any case not later than 10 working days after the day on which the request is received, transfer the request to the other department or Minister of the Crown or organisation, or to that local authority, AND inform me accordingly.

As required under s15A of the Act, if you believe that a time extension is warranted for this request, you must under ss15A(2),(3) and (4) give notice to me of this extension within 20 working days after the day on which my request was received. In that notice, you should state; the period of the extension, give reasons for the extension and remind me of my right to complain to the Ombudsman under s28(3). Finally, the extension must be for a reasonable time, having regards to the circumstances.

As required by s18B of the Act, you must consider consulting me before refusing my request under the provisions of ss18(e) and (f) which relate to a document not being able to be found or existing or where substantial collation and research would be required for my current request.

As required by s19(a)(i), you must provide reasons if you refuse any parts of this request.

I will, if required, complain to the Ombudsman, as is my right under s28(3) of the Act, if any of the above statutory requirements on you are not complied with. Further to this, if your reply is not “as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case not later than 20 working days after the day on which the request is received” as required under s15(1) of the Act, I will also complain to the Ombudsman.

This request is made through the site FYI.org.nz. All correspondence will be automatically forwarded to me through the site and published online immediately. I require, where appropriate, all electronic copies of all documents in your response. For more information on how the site works, please visit www.fyi.org.nz/help/about.

Kia ora Janine,

Thank you for your prompt response and for suggesting meeting times. I appreciate Mr. Turner's willingness to discuss the OIA request; however, I believe that a meeting is not necessary.

I am confident that any additional information or clarification can be efficiently communicated via email. Clarification must be sought within 7 working days under the ‘Act’. This approach would save valuable time for all parties involved and allow us to address any questions or concerns in a written format.

Yours sincerely,

Corbin Paterson