4 October 2024  
 
Ref: DOIA-REQ-0004398 
 
 
Adrian Cowie  
Email: [FYI request #28595 email]  
 
 
Tēnā koe Adrian 
 
Thank you for your request of 1 October 2024 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment 
(MBIE) requesting information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). 
 
For ease of reference, each question has been responded to in turn.  
 
1.  The evidence that NZCRS has that Emily Walton is ‘independent’. 
 
Ms Walton was nominated by the law society. Attached is a copy of this nomination. Please note, some 
information has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy of natural persons, 
including that of deceased natural persons.  
 
2.  The register of interests and disclosure of conflicts of interest that Emily Walton completed in her 
role in the NZCRS. 
 
MBIE is refusing this question under 18(d) of the Act, as the information requested is publicly available, 
and is disclosed in the published meeting minutes, linked here: https://www.nzcrs.govt.nz/about-
us/advisory-groups/legal-advisory-group/previous-meeting-minutes/5-march-2024/ 
 
3.  The conflict of interest assessment that NZCRS completed for Emily Walton in her position as 
“Independent Lawyer”, noting she is also a Director of a structural engineering firm that appears 
to work for NZCRS and the Natural Hazards Commission.   
 
Batchelar McDougall Consulting (BMC) does not work for New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS) 
and has never been engaged by NZCRS to carry out any work.  NZCRS does not engage engineers to carry 
out work, any engineering advice is provided by Engineering New Zealand.  Ms Walton was nominated by 
the Law Society in May 2023, and NZCRS relied on this nomination. 
 
4.   The conflict of interest records that NZCRS have for Emily Walton in her involvement with NZCRS. 
 
MBIE is refusing this question under 18(d) of the Act, as the information requested is publicly available in 
the meeting minutes via the link provided above.  
 
5.   A copy of the engagement letter and fees details for Emily Walton’s involvement with the 
NZCRS.  This should include the amount she is paid, including all invoices covering all her 
involvement with the NZCRS. 
 

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Please find attached a copy of Ms Walton’s engagement letter. Some information has been withheld 
under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased 
natural persons.  
 
6.  A full listing and description of the fees paid to Emily Walton, including a description of what this 
was for, and dates, for the period that she has been involved with the NZCRS (including the 
previous name: the Greater Christchurch Claims Resolution Service (GCCRS)). 
 
Ms Walton has only been paid to attend meetings as per her contract. 
 
7.  A copy of the engagement letter and other engagement information, short form agreement, and 
fees details for Batchelar McDougall Consulting Limited’s work for NZCRS, including that of 
Edward Hill, or Ed Hill, structural engineer.  This should include the amount paid to Batchelar 
McDougall Consulting Limited, their hourly rate, and copies of invoices for all of their involvement 
with NZCRS. 
 
NZCRS has never engaged BMC. 
 
8.   A copy of all meeting agenda, meeting minutes, aide memoire, discussions, filenotes, letters, 
emails, phone recordings, phone calls, between NZCRS and insurers and their PMO’s and 
consultants regarding Emily Walton and her involvement with the NZCRS.  This should include, but 
not be limited to, the Natural Hazards Commission, Southern Response Earthquake Services 
Limited, Insurance Council of New Zealand. 
 
NZCRS has never discussed Ms Walton’s involvement with Insurers or their PMO’s and consultants. 
 
In terms of section 9(1) of the Act, I do not consider that the withholding of this information is 
outweighed by public interest considerations in making the information available. 
 
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance, 
please contact [email address]. 
 
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information 
about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 
602. 
 
Nāku noa, nā 
 
 
 
Darren Wright  
Director, NZCRS 
Building and Tenancy  

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