45 Pipitea St
PO Box 805
Wel ington 6140
11 June 2024
Phone +64 4 495 7200
Fax +64 4 495 7222
Websit
e dia.govt.nz
T A Holden
fyi-request-26863-
[email address]
Tēnā koe T A Holden
Official Information Act 1982 request, reference OIA2324-0986
Thank you for your Official Information request of 17 May 2024 requesting the fol owing
information from Te Tari Taiwhenua | the Department of Internal Affairs under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
1. I am requesting the full cost of the inquiry led by RDC group that was released online
at www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/Files/DIA-Passport-Assurance-Review/$file/DIA-
Passport-Assurance-Review-May-2024.pdf.
2. I would also like to know any other costs (both external and internal costs - including
an approximate estimation of staff time spent) linked to this inquiry, as well as
3. Any communications from Minister van Velden regarding the issuing of the passport
related to DJ Fred Again
Public trust and confidence are paramount to the Department, especial y in regard to
services provided for New Zealanders. The report,
Independent assurance review:
Management of an urgent passport application was commissioned to provide the necessary
assurances that normal processes were fol owed in the processing of a passport application,
and to uphold the public trust and confidence we are committed to maintaining.
Response to your request
For clarity I have numbered the parts of your request for response.
Question one
The cost of the report was $50,800.00. This was paid for actual hours worked and at a rate in
accordance with the RDC Group’s All-of-Government contract.
Question two
I am refusing this part of your request under section 18(g) of the Act. The Department does
not hold a record of the time spent by staff linked to the
Independent assurance review.
Question three
I have interpreted your request as communication from Minister van Velden to officials at
the Department.
There are two documents in scope of your request, enclosed as
Appendix A. Please note
that some information has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the
privacy of natural persons.
Access to the Ombudsman
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the Act, to seek an investigation and review of my
decision by the Office of the Ombudsman. The postal address of the Office of the
Ombudsman is PO Box 10152, Wel ington. Alternatively, you can phone 0800 802 602 or
e
mail [email address]
Nāku noa, nā
Karen Hope-Cross
Director Office of the Chief Executive
Page 2 of 3
Appendix A
#
Document name
Document
Decision
Relevant
date
section/s of the
Act
1
Text Messages: Paul James 27 March 2024 Partially
9(2)(a)
released
2
Text Messages: Paul James 27/28 March
Partially
9(2)(a)
2024
released
Page 3 of 3
