133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
15 March 2024
Chris Johnston
By email: [FYI request #24923 email]
Ref:
H2024036288
Tēnā koe Chris
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 16 February 2024 as a follow up to information
provided to you under reference: H2024034795. You requested:
“The Ministry of Health does not file information that is publicly available. ” Can you please
produce the documents that substantiate that this is the policy of the organisation… 2.If
you cannot find such a retention policy, then please proceed to state this and answer the
original question that you numbered item 8.”
Publicly available information that is not owned by the Ministry does not generally need to be
filed separately as this may be deemed redundant and may incur unnecessary administrative
costs. It is important that resources are prioritised to effectively manage and maintain
information. While the Ministry does not have a specific policy for filing publicly available
information, our practices for the creation and maintenance of official information are guided by
the Public Records Act 20051.
Turning to the remainder of your request regarding the referenced report,
NTP Monograph on
the State of the Science Concerning Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive
Health Effects: A Systematic Review, please refer to our earlier response which notes that in
October 2021, the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor considered an earlier
version of the draft National Toxicology Programme report as part of a review of evidence on
community water fluoridation
: www.pmcsa.ac.nz/topics/fluoridation-an-update-on-evidence/
(refer to page 25).
Research can influence exposure guidelines or regulations, so it is important for it to be able to
withstand scientific scrutiny. Individual studies or papers are considered within the broader body
of scientific research. The analysis of evidence requires an assessment of all relevant
information available and should not be based on a single study or opinion.
1 Public Records Act 2005:
www.archives.govt.nz/manage-information/how-to-manage-your-
information/key-obligations-and-the-standard/key-obligations-public-records-act-2005#s3-your-
responsibilitie
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
Jan Torres
Manager, OIA Services
Government and Executive Services | Te Pou Whakatere Kāwanatanga
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