27 August 2024
45 Pipitea St
PO Box 805
Wel ington 6140
James B
Phone +64 4 495 7200
fyi-request-27719-
Fax +64 4 495 7222
[email address]
Website dia.govt.nz
Tēnā koe James
Your Official Information Act 1982 request, reference OIA2425-0105
I am responding to your request partially transferred to the Department of Internal Affairs
(the Department) on 31 July 2024 requesting the fol owing information under Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
All briefings, meetings, minutes, notes, and emails, etc. as it relates to the letter [sent
by the Minister of Local Government to the Justice Committee]. This includes but is not
limited to, correspondence with the Minister [of Local Government] and others when
creating the letter, discussions around the language used, and any anticipated
responses or opinions. This also includes communication with the Minister about the
letter and its contents after it was sent to the Committee.
There are 17 documents within scope of your request. A list of these documents can be
found at
Table One. I am withholding Document Six in full, under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act,
to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of
opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation or
officers and employees of any public service agency or organisation in the course of their
duty.
The remaining 16 documents are enclosed, with some information withheld under section
9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy of natural persons. Some documents have been
withheld because they are duplicates of previous documents, and their duplication is noted
within Table One. Information has also been withheld where it is out of scope of your
request.
As is required by section 9(1) of the Act, I have considered whether the grounds for
withholding information are outweighed by other considerations which would make it
desirable, in the public interest, to make this information available. In this instance, I do not
consider that to be the case.
Proactive release of your request
We intend to publish our response to your request on www.dia.govt.nz. This letter, with
your personal details removed, will be published in its entirety. Publishing responses
increases the availability of information to the public and is consistent with the Act’s
purpose of enabling more effective participation in the making and administration of laws
and policies, and promoting the accountability of Ministers and officials.
