16 February 2024
Ref: DOIA 2324-1494
Stephen Prendergast
Email:
[FYI request #25439 email]
Tēnā koe Stephen Prendergast
Thank you for your email of 18 January 2024 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
In response to DIA 2324 0972 you supplied a heavily redacted version of an email
thread titled RAL Progress Update. As the redactions were identified as Out of Scope
for the nature of that request, I am now requesting an unredacted version of those
documents on the basis that they describe events which have already occurred and are
in the public domain, and the matters discussed have a high degree of public interest
given the taxpayer funding involved and the significant impact on the regional
economy.
Please find attached the documentation relevant to your request.
Please note some information has been withheld under the fol owing sections of the Act:
• 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons;
• 9(2)(b)(ii), to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely
unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the
subject of the information;
• 9(2)(f)(iv), to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the
confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials;
• 9(2)(h), to maintain legal professional privilege.
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 contac
t [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
Michael Docherty
Acting Manager Communications
Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit
