5 June 2015
Alex Harris
[FYI request #2812 email]
Ref: OIA 1496
Dear Mr Harris
Thank you for your email of 5 June 2015 requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982, the
following information:
“The Immigration Act 2009 gives immigration officers, and the department, various powers
of arrest and detention, either without warrant or under a warrant of commitment. I would
like to request the following information under the OIA:
•
how many people are currently detained under section 312 (Limited power of detention
for up to 4 hours)? How many have been detained under this section in the past year?
•
how many people are currently detained under section 313 (Initial period of detention for
up to 96 hours without warrant)? How many have been detained under this section in
the past year? If there are statistics available on the average length of detention, or a
breakdown of detention periods (0-24 hours, 24-48 hours etc), then I'd like a copy.
•
how many people are currently detained under a warrant of commitment (sections 316-
324)? If statistics are kept, I'd like a breakdown of detention periods; if anyone has been
held longer than 6 months, I'd like a breakdown of their nationality and their length of
detention in days.
•
how many people have been detained under a warrant of commitment in the past year?
If there are statistics available on the average length of detention, or a breakdown of
detention periods (1-7 days, 8-14 days etc), then I'd like a copy.
•
Is anyone currently detained under s163 (Deportation liability of persons threatening
security), or has anyone been detained under this clause in the past year?”
Your request is being processed in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. If you have any
enquiries regarding your request, you may contact us via email at [MBIE request email] or
Alan Witcombe
Manager, Ministerial Services
Organisational Strategy and Support
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
PO Box 3705
Wellington 6140
Your email was received on 5 June 2015 and a response will be sent to you as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely
Alan Witcombe
Manager, Ministerial Services
Organisational Strategy and Support