2 December 2024
Tēnā koe Joyce
Official Information Act request
Thank you for your request, transferred to the Ministry of Social Development
(the Ministry) on 4 November 2024, requesting information relating to costs for
establishing the Ministry for Disabled People (Whaikaha), and costs associated
with the transfer of functions as recently announced by Ministers.
I have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Please find my decision on your request set out below.
In order for us to provide the costs for establishing Whaikaha and the transfer of
functions, the Ministry would need to divert personnel to complete the
assessment of our BAU costs to specify which costs are directly associated. Costs
for the transfer of functions and for establishing the new Ministry are a product
of staff time. The Ministry has not outsourced any of the work associated with
the establishment of Whaikaha or the transfer of functions.
The diversion of these resources would impair the Ministry’s ability to continue
standard operations and would be an inefficient use of the Ministry’s resources.
As such, your request is refused under section 18(f) of the Act, requires
substantial collation. The greater public interest is in the effective and efficient
administration of the public service.
I have considered whether the Ministry would be able to respond to your
requests given extra time, or the ability to charge for the information requested.
I have concluded that, in either case, the Ministry’s ability to undertake its work
would still be prejudiced.
I understand that Whaikaha responded to your request from their perspective on
12 November 2024.
I will be publishing this decision letter, with your personal details deleted, on the
Ministry’s website in due course.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[email address].
The Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, PO Box 1556, Wellington
– Telephone 04-916 3300 – Facsimile 04-918 0099
If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right to
seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to
make a complaint is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802
602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Magnus O’Neill
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services
