31 July 2024
James
[email address]
James
[FYI request #27207 email]
Tēnā koe James
Official Information Act (OIA) requests: Manurewa Marae, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, and
possible use of census data for election purposes
On 2 June 2024
, you contacted Stats NZ requesting, under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act), the fol owing information:
•
Al emails, texts and communications relating to complaints about Manurewa Marae
and concerns regarding Te Pati Māori and/or Takutai Tarsh Kemp.
On 2 July 2024, in accordance with section 15A of the Act, the time limit to make a decision
on this request was extended to 31 July 2024.
On 10 June 2024
, you contacted Stats NZ requesting, under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act), the fol owing information:
•
Al communications if any, regarding the possible use of census data for election
purposes at Manurewa Marae between June 1st 2023 and May 31st 2024.
•
A breakdown of renumeration payable for the col ection of census forms via
Manurewa Marae. This should include incentives if any for respondents, incentives
if any for collectors, hourly rate, completion bonuses if applicable and total amount
payable to the agency/contracted party operating out of the Marae that was
responsible for the census form col ection.
On 10 July 2024, in accordance with section 15A of the Act, the time limit to make a
decision on the first part of this request was extended to 31 July 2024. A response to the
second part of this request was provided in full at that time.
As previously advised, Stats NZ is undertaking an investigation into the al egations of
misuse of census data col ected at Manurewa Marae, led by independent investigator,
Doug Craig. The scope of the investigation, and terms of reference, are available on our
website at:
www.stats.govt.nz/news/scope-of-investigation-into-alleged-misuse-of-census-
data/.
[email address]
toll-free 0508 525 525
stats.govt.nz
8 Willis Street, Wellington
PO Box 2922, Wellington 6140
As the investigation has progressed, the scope of interviews to be conducted and the
quantity of documentation required to be evaluated has become clearer. This has required
effective coordination and communication with other investigations, in particular Te Kawa
Mataaho Public Service Commission (PSC) Inquiry into the protection of personal
information. The scope of that investigation, and terms of reference, are available on the
PSC website at:
www.publicservice.govt.nz/news/inquiry-into-the-protection-of-personal-
information.
This has also entailed further coordination with additional agencies.
Accordingly, Stats NZ has agreed to extend the timeframe for the investigator to provide
his report by an additional month, with a public release date for the resulting report yet to
be determined.
Notwithstanding this, Stats NZ has decided to grant your request, with the information
currently available, in accordance with our original extension. Please also note that given
the investigation is stil ongoing, there is a possibility that further relevant information may
come to light, in scope of your request. If this occurs, we wil notify you of the need to
provide you with further information and the date you can expect to receive the information,
taking into account the time required to prepare the information for release.
Please note that information in scope is the subject of the ongoing inquiry and investigation,
including:
• information received that an attempt was made to alert Stats NZ about the misuse
of census data
• information relating to census forms at Manurewa Marae.
Please see attached communications identified in scope of your requests:
Date
Description
Page
no.
29 May 2024 – Correspondence following media query from Andrea Vance, 1-51
31 May 2024
National Affairs Editor, The Post/Sunday Star-Times, and
receipt of Official Information Act request
30 May 2024
Privacy and Legal team Situation report (SITREP) – re
52-54
WOCA (Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency) concerns (as
they relate to Privacy concerns and legal advice)
31 May 2024
Legal advice (title withheld)
55-58
You will note within these documents:
• the names of staff members below tier 3 and/or who are not decision-makers have
been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act in order to protect the privacy of
[email address]
toll-free 0508 525 525
stats.govt.nz
8 Willis Street, Wellington
PO Box 2922, Wellington 6140
natural persons. The need to protect the privacy of these individuals outweighs the
public interest in this information.
• some information is withheld under section 9(2)(h) of the Act in order to maintain
legal professional privilege. The greater public interest is in ensuring that
government agencies can continue to obtain confidential legal advice.
Please also be advised that some communications in scope of your request have been
withheld in ful under section 6(c) of the Act. These communications have been identified
as being subject to the ongoing investigation, and premature release of this particular
information has the potential to undermine the investigation being undertaken. Making this
information available would be likely to prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the
prevention, investigation and detection of offences.
Please note, section 6(c) of the Act has been applied on a temporary basis and the
communications wil be assessed and provided to you once the investigation is completed.
A member of our team wil email you in due course.
Should you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact Stats NZ at:
[email address].
If you are not satisfied with this response, 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.
It is Stats NZ’s policy to proactively release its responses to official information requests
where possible. This letter, with your personal details removed, wil be published on the
Stats NZ website. Publishing responses creates greater openness and transparency of
government decision-making and helps better inform public understanding of the reasons
for decisions.
Ngā mihi nui, nā
Mike Webb
Senior Manager – Executive & Government Relations
Office of the Chief Executive
Stats NZ
[email address]
toll-free 0508 525 525
stats.govt.nz
8 Willis Street, Wellington
PO Box 2922, Wellington 6140
