Tobacco Lobbyist Interactions

Adam Irish made this Official Information request to Casey Costello

The request was partially successful.

From: Adam Irish

Dear Casey Costello,

I am writing to you under the Official Information Act to request information pertaining to interactions with tobacco lobbyists within your office.

Specifically, I would like to know how many times tobacco lobbyists have visited your office, the dates of these interactions, and the topics that were discussed during these meetings and request any emails between you and them.

Additionally, I am seeking clarification on when it became an NZ First election manifesto commitment to included a commitment to repeal smoke-free legislation. I assume this was after the election.

Furthermore, I am interested in understanding if there were any communications between NZ First's leadership and your office regarding this policy change, and if so, I would appreciate these communications. Additionally what if any financial contributions have you or NZ first received from the tobacco industry.

Given the transition of some NZ First former staffers, such as Apirana Dawson, to the tobacco industry, have any declared financial conflicts of interest been made by you or other members of the NZ First cabinet.

Thank you,

Adam

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From: Casey Costello (MIN)
Casey Costello

Thank you for contacting the Office of Hon Casey Costello, Minister of
Customs, Minister for Seniors, Associate Minister of Health, Associate
Minister of Immigration, and Associate Minister of Police. 

 
The Minister considers all correspondence important and appreciates you
taking the time to write. Please note that as Minister Costello receives a
large amount of correspondence it is not always possible to personally
reply to all emails. 
  
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where appropriate. 

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*  Media queries will be referred to the Minister’s press secretary. 

 
 Again, thank you for writing. 

 

 

Kind regards, 

 
 
Office of Hon Casey Costello 
Minister of Customs | Minister for Seniors | Associate Minister of Health
| Associate Minister of Immigration | Associate Minister of Police 
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand 

DDI: 04 817 6827 

 

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From: Casey Costello (MIN)
Casey Costello

Dear Adam,

 

Office of Hon Casey Costello acknowledge receipt of your email received
Monday 19 February 2024, which you submitted an Official Information Act
request as follows:

Your OIA Request:

Specifically, I would like to know how many times tobacco lobbyists have
visited your office, the dates of these interactions, and the topics that
were discussed during these meetings and request any emails between you
and them.

Additionally, I am seeking clarification on when it became an NZ First
election manifesto commitment to included a commitment to repeal
smoke-free legislation. I assume this was after the election.

Furthermore, I am interested in understanding if there were any
communications between NZ First's leadership and your office regarding
this policy change, and if so, I would appreciate these communications.
Additionally what if any financial contributions have you or NZ first
received from the tobacco industry.

Given the transition of some NZ First former staffers, such as Apirana
Dawson, to the tobacco industry, have any declared financial conflicts of
interest been made by you or other members of the NZ First cabinet

 

Minister Hon Casey Costello is considering your official request in
accordance with the Act, and you can expect a response by Monday 18 March
2024.

 

Kind regards

 

 

 

Office of Hon Casey Costello

Minister of Customs | Minister for Seniors

Associate Minister of Immigration | Associate Minister of Health |
Associate Minister of Police

2.062 PH, Parliament Buildings,Wellington 6160, New Zealand

DDI: (04) 817 6827

E: [1][Casey Costello request email]

 

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is
confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or
transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by
replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is
prohibited and may be unlawful.

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Adam Irish <[FYI request #25792 email]>
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2024 11:34 PM
To: Casey Costello (MIN) <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Tobacco Lobbyist Interactions

 

Dear Casey Costello,

 

I am writing to you under the Official Information Act to request
information pertaining to interactions with tobacco lobbyists within your
office.

 

Specifically, I would like to know how many times tobacco lobbyists have
visited your office, the dates of these interactions, and the topics that
were discussed during these meetings and request any emails between you
and them.

 

Additionally, I am seeking clarification on when it became an NZ First
election manifesto commitment to included a commitment to repeal
smoke-free legislation. I assume this was after the election.

 

Furthermore, I am interested in understanding if there were any
communications between NZ First's leadership and your office regarding
this policy change, and if so, I would appreciate these communications.
Additionally what if any financial contributions have you or NZ first
received from the tobacco industry.

 

Given the transition of some NZ First former staffers, such as Apirana
Dawson, to the tobacco industry, have any declared financial conflicts of
interest been made by you or other members of the NZ First cabinet.

 

Thank you,

 

Adam

 

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From: Casey Costello (MIN)
Casey Costello


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Dear Adam,

 

Please find attached a response to your request for official information.

 

Kind regards,

 

 

 

 

Office of Hon Casey Costello

 

 

Office of Hon Casey Costello

Minister of Customs | Minister for Seniors

Associate Minister of Immigration | Associate Minister of Health |
Associate Minister of Police

2.054 PH, Parliament Buildings,Wellington 6160, New Zealand

E: [1][Casey Costello request email]

 

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is
confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or
transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by
replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is
prohibited and may be unlawful.

 

 

 

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