IN-CONFIDENCE
19 January 2024
T Murray
[FYI request #25008 email]
Tēnā koe T Murray
Official Information Act Request
Thank you for your email of 3 December, requesting information about the
initial meeting with the Minister for Seniors. I have considered your request
under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). Please find my decision on
each part of your request set out separately below.
1. The date, time and location of your initial meeting with the new Minister for
Seniors for your department
The meeting took place on Thursday 30 November 2023, from 1.00pm to
2.00pm, in Room 2-601 of the Parliament Buildings.
2. A list of attendees at this meeting
• Debbie Power, Chief Executive
• Simon MacPherson, Deputy Chief Executive, Policy
• Sarah Palmer, Acting General Manager, International, Disability and
Generational Policy
• Diane Turner, Director, Office for Seniors
3. The cost of any flights and accommodation for staff who reside outside of
wellington to attend this meeting
No attendees of this meeting were from outside of Wellington, so no costs were
incurred.
4. Any documentation provided at the meeting
This request is refused under section 18(d) of the Act on the basis that the
information requested will soon be publicly available. This information will be
published as soon as possible this year.
5. All notes (including handwritten notes) taken at the meeting by department
staff.
IN-CONFIDENCE
Under section 16(1)(e) of the Act, please see the summary below of the notes
taken at the meeting.
Discussed items:
• The Government 100-day plan will be the primary focus.
• The key objective will be very clear accountability. Considerations
include:
o A hands-on approach, and delivery orientated.
o Organisational charts. Relationship of portfolio to commissioners
and key agencies.
o Best service delivery and on the ground staff.
o Engagement with providers, stakeholders and other groups.
• Hon Costello’s potential Associate Minister for Health roles that could
relate to her Minister for Seniors role and related issues: dementia, aged
care, subsidiary dwellings.
• The review of the Retirement Villages Act is a priority.
• The Minister’s preference for communications moving forward:
o Meetings – Minister interested in delivery focused discussions.
o Paper copies of reports.
o Transparency in all matters – no surprises.
o Open to new ideas and initiatives.
• Would like to work closely with local councils on all issues.
Interested in further information regarding:
• Level of engagement with the Office for Seniors website and other
communication channels.
• Retirement Villages.
• Information about:
o Recurring issues.
o Role of the Aged Care Commissioner
o Role of the Retirement Commissioner.
• Age friendly city programme and councils:
o Any links to the rates rebate scheme?
o What did they sign up to deliver?
o Local council capacity to deliver.
o Information of age friendly grants.
• Dementia care, in-home care support – issues such as how places are
allocated, funding, relation to hospital care and programme costs.
• Details on the Budget, about what is being spent and where.
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IN-CONFIDENCE
• Māori Health Authority, including aged care capability and targeted
delivery of services.
• Elder abuse – the Minister also has Associate Police portfolio and would
like to see elder abuse data.
• Gold Care – link to manifesto and coalition agreements. Opportunities
for discounts or advantages.
6. A copy of any emails sent by department attendees or all staff
communications regarding the meeting with the new Minister for Seniors
Please find attached
Appendix One, which contains copies of emails sent
regarding the meeting.
You will note that email addresses and contact details of staff have been
redacted under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy of natural
persons. The need to protect the privacy of these individuals outweighs any
public interest in this information.
Some information is withheld under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the Act to maintain
the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the
confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials. The
release of this information is likely to prejudice the ability of government to
consider advice and the wider public interest of effective government would
not be served.
I will be publishing this decision letter, with your personal details removed, on
the Ministry’s website in due course.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email].
If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right
to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about
how to make a complaint is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Magnus O’Neill
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services
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Document Outline
