11 March 2024
Ref: DOIA 2324-1746
G Smith
Email: [FYI request #25418 email]
Tēnā koe G Smith
Thank you for your email of 20 January 2024 to the Office of the Minister for Energy, Hon
Simeon Brown requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the fol owing
information:
Your reference OIA23 125, in regards to the Blackrock renewable energy equity fund.
I ask the Minister to remove the redaction on all sections under 9(2)(b)(ii), I note several
passages are redacted which appear to involve crown entities, consideration for
Government support and other matters which are very much in the public interest.
If the Minister decides not to remove the redactions, I request the supporting grounds for
the redaction, eg non disclosure agreement or the information contains trade secrets.
On 15 February 2024, your request was transferred to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (MBIE) under section 14 of the Act as the information you requested is not held by
the Minister’s Office, but is held by MBIE. The information is not held by the current Minister’s
Office due to the change in Government that has occurred since the initial request.
MBIE has re-reviewed the sections of the briefings where you asked that redactions to be
removed. We consider that section 9(2)(b)(ii) of the Act (
the protection of information where the
making available of that information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial
position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information) still applies to the
information.
Section 9(2)(b)(i) of the Act (
the protection of information where the making available of the
information would disclose a trade secret) does not apply to this information.
I do not consider that the withholding of this information is outweighed by public interest
considerations in making the information available.
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 available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Peter Bartlett
Director, Sector Engagement
Building, Resources and Markets