OIAD-4429
27 September 2024
Stephen Prendergast
[FYI request #28255 email]
Tēnā koe Stephen
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation, received on 31 August 2024,
in which you asked for:
1. A copy of any/all applications (including Concession Application Form 5a) received
i. Jordan Watson,
ii. and/or any representative of Watson’s companies (including, but not limited to:
Here’s Golden Limited, The Watson Project Limited)
i i. and/or any representative of Watson’s How to Dad/How to Dad NZ social media
channels
iv. and/or any other directly related party e.g. Pure Tūroa Limited or its agents
pertaining to the approval/granting of a permission for Watson to commercially
film in the Tongariro National Park and/or on Tūroa Ski Field in August 2024.
2. A copy of any/all internal and external communications, emails etc (including any/all
attachments) between:
i. DOC and Jordan Watson,
ii. DOC and and/or any representative of Watson’s companies ((including, but not
limited to: Here’s Golden Limited, The Watson Project Limited)
i i. DOC and/or any representative of Watson’s How to Dad/How to Dad NZ social
media channels
iv. DOC and/or any other related party eg Pure Tūroa Limited including their agents
pertaining to the possibility of and/or any subsequent approvals relating to the
granting of permission by DOC for Jordan Watson to commercially film in the
Tongariro National Park and/or on Tūroa Ski Field in August 2024.
3. Copies of any/all internal and external communications (including any/all
attachments) since 5 April 2024 between
i. DOC and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts / or Agents
ii. DOC and Pure Tūroa Limited / or Agents
which discuss commercial filming in the Tongariro National Park by a third party
inside a ski field concession area.
National Office, 18-22 Manners Street, Box 10420, Wellington 6143 Page 1 of 2
4. Copies of any/all internal and external communications (including any/all
attachments) since 5 April 2024
i. DOC and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts
ii. DOC and Pure Tūroa Limited
which discuss commercial filming in the Tongariro National Park by a social
media influencer who is being hosted and paid (whether paid directly or in kind)
by either Ruapehu Alpine Lifts and/or Pure Tūroa Limited to film inside ski field
concession areas for their own personal social media channels e.g. Jordan
Watson and his How to Dad/How to Dad NZ channels.
5. Copies of any variations or amendments made to Concession Document 109883-SKI,
since 5 April 2024 which negate any of the requirements as outlined in Section 55
Filming including, but not limited to, the need for a third party to obtain: “the Grantor’s
prior approval for any other filming such as marketing or commercial filming by, and
for, and third parties, any this parties is required separately (e.g. ski equipment
brands, advertisements or television shows).
We have considered your request under the Of icial Information Act 1982.
I regret that I am not able to provide you with the information you seek, and your request is
refused in full subject to Section 18(e) of the Official Information Act – since the information
requested does not exist. For context the Department has not had any communication with
Jordan Watson or any representatives of his companies. We can also confirm that:
- there have been no variations or amendments to Concession document 109883-SKI
relating to filming.
- we do not hold any internal/external correspondence which discusses commercial
filming in the Tongariro National Park by a third party inside a ski field concession
area.
You are entitled to seek an investigation and review of my decision by writing to an
Ombudsman as provided by section 28(3) of the Of icial Information Act.
Please note that this letter (with your personal details removed) may be published on the
Department’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
Phil ippa Fox
Director Regulatory Authorisations
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
National Office, 18-22 Manners Street, Box 10420, Wellington 6143 Page 2 of 2
