22 January 2025
Ref: DOIA -REQ-0006075
Liam Hehir
Email: [FYI request #29074 email]
Tēnā koe Liam
Thank you for your email of 5 November 2024 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
My request pertains to the decision made by the Ministry to have staff attend training by The
Pākehā Project, a programme that, according to recent media coverage and its own promotional
materials, appears to focus on themes that may be perceived as overtly political, particularly
concerning decolonisation and systemic change. … Specifically, I request the following:
1. Cost and Analysis: The total amount spent by the Ministry on staff attendance at The Pākehā
Project, including registration, travel, accommodation, and other expenses. Additionally, any
cost-benefit analysis or justification made prior to approving the expenditure.
2. Effectiveness and Outcomes: Documentation or reports detailing the measurable outcomes
or benefits observed following staff participation, along with any evaluations of the
programme’s success or impact on departmental objectives.
3. Approval and Decision-Making: The names or titles of officials who authorised the
expenditure, along with any records of internal discussions or concerns raised about the
appropriateness or potential political nature of the programme.
4. Political Neutrality: Any steps taken to ensure compliance with the principle of political
neutrality, including an assessment of whether the programme’s emphasis on decolonization
could conflict with public service requirements.
5. Alternative Options: Records detailing whether any alternative cultural competency training
programmes were considered, and the rationale for selecting The Pākehā Project over other
available options. I am particularly interested in understanding how the decision to engage
with this programme aligns with public service obligations to remain apolitical while pursuing
professional development.
In 2022 two MBIE employees, at manager level, attended The Pākehā Project, a programme focused on
building the bicultural competencies of Pākehā leaders. This programme was offered as a pilot to see if it
would be of benefit to MBIE by offering it as part of their suite of development courses.
Please find attached, as Annex One, documentation in scope of your request. The name of an attendee is
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy of natural persons. I do not consider that
the withholding of this information is outweighed by public interest considerations in making the
information available.
Please find responses to your questions below:
Question One: Cost and Analysis:
The total cost for two staff to attend The Pākehā Project was $21,700. This cost included registration,
accommodation, travel and other expenses, such as travel, parking and food. Discussion regarding the
approval of expenditure is contained in emails attached as Annex One. Further analysis is refused under
section 18(g) of the Act, as the information is not held.
Question Two: Effectiveness and Outcomes:
Please find attached in Annex One, The Pākehā Project Learner Experience Evaluation form which
contains feedback from a participant. Further documentation is refused under section
18(e) of the Act, as the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist.
Question Three: Approval and Decision-Making
Attendance by one staff member to The Pākehā Project was approved by the Manager, Talent and
Development in the People and Culture Branch, discussions regarding this approval are captured in emails
in Annex One. Approval for the other staff member was given by the Deputy Chief Executive, Te Waka
Pūtahitanga. Further documentation is refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as the document alleged to
contain the information requested does not exist.
Question Four & Five: Political Neutrality & Alternative Options:
The Public Service Act 2020 (the Act), section 14 explicitly recognises the role of the Public Service to
support the Crown in its relationships with Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi. While
those who attended The Pākehā Project gave positive feedback on the course, the decision was made not
to add it to the suite of courses offered by MBIE as there were other options available that better suited
developing bi-cultural competency and could be offered widely across the organisation rather than just
those in management positions and were better value for money. Some information regarding the
assessment of the course is available in the emails attached as Annex One, further analysis is refused
under section 18(g) of the Act.
As this programme did not progress further than the pilot, there is no further detailed analysis or formal
documentation other than the emails attached in Annex One.
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 availab
le at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
Nāku noa, nā
Kerry Jarvis
Acting Chief People Officer
People and Culture
Corporate and Digital Shared Services
