16 January 2024
Ref: DOIA 2324-1168
Adam Irish
Email:
[FYI request #24882 email] Tēnā koe Adam Irish
Thank you for your email of 27 November 2023 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
I request under the Official Information Act all information that may be useful to the
public or future government on the lake Onslow power scheme project.
This was paid for an progressed at great expense to the public and the information
should be maintained so that process isn't lost should a future government proceed with
this project.
On 29 November 2023 we emailed you requesting refinement of the request so as to avoid being
declined due to substantial collation and research under section 18(f) of the Act. You replied to us
on 4 December 2023:
Please feel free to narrow the scope so that its not substantial collation. Please include
briefing to Ministers, reports and information that would be useful for decision making
on the project in the future. Regarding emails, any that shows the prior government
holding back a decision or commitment to the project or emails that show what officials
think of the project.
On 8 December 2023 we emailed you again to narrow the scope to exclude emails as this would
still require substantial collation and research. As we did not receive a reply from you regarding
this email we have excluded emails from this request.
As part of the process of ending MBIE’s investigation into the use of Lake Onslow for a pumped hydro
electricity generation station, the Ministry is preparing a public release of documents associated with this
work. Given the volume of information involved, we expect the information to be released on our
website towards the end of February. We expect this release will meet the intent of your request for
official information.
Given that the information will soon be publicly available, MBIE is refusing your request under section
18(d) of the Act.
You will be able to find the information requested her
e: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-
energy/energy-and-natural-resources/low-emissions-economy/nz-battery/lake-onslow-option/
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance,
please 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 availab
le at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
Nāku noa, nā
Susan Hall
Policy Director
Energy Markets Branch
