29/08/2024 
Kathryn Pick 
[FYI request #28084 email]  
Tēnā koe Kathryn 
OIA: 1334434 – Vaccination exemptions for Ministry of Education personnel 
Thank you for your email of 17 August 2024 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) requesting 
the following information:  
I would like information regarding the number of COVID vaccine exemptions that were 
requested for MOE personnel and other educational organisations (Such as NZSTA, NZEI, 
PPTA, NZPF), how many were successful, and how many people each successful 
exemption covered. 
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).  
Approximately 59% of the approximately 4,352 Ministry employees were covered under the 
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 when it was in effect. Exemptions 
could be applied for under clause 9 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations)  
Order 2021. Seven Education-related applications were received and processed by the Ministry, 
with all decisions referred to the Minister for approval. All of these applications were declined.  
The other organisations listed in your request are not subject to the Act. The Ministry does not hold 
records relating to staff at these organisations, and this part of your request is therefore refused 
under section 18(g) of the Act, as the information requested is not held by the Ministry, and we 
have no reason to believe it is held by another department or organisation subject to the Act. 
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision 
on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to 
[email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143. 
Nāku noa, nā 
 
 
 
 
Emma Drysdale 
Manager Official and Parliamentary Information 
Te Pou Rangatōpū | Corporate 
8 Gilmer Terrace, Levels Ground floor, 1, 2, and 6-14, Wellington 
PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140 Phone: +64 4 463 8000  

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