Maria Lucento OIA data.pdf

UoO - Official Information Act
From:
Maria Lucento <[email address]>
Sent:
Tuesday, 5 November 2024 12:49 pm
To:
UoO - Official Information Act
Subject:
Official Information request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa Funding
Dear University of Otago,

University of Otago is the host organisa on for Genomics Aotearoa a $39.752 mil ion 7 year infrastructure
programme which concluded on 30 June 2024. I am wri ng to request informa on under the Oﬃcial
Informa on Act.

According to the Ministry of Business Innova on and Employment, Genomics Aotearoa was funded as an
infrastructure pla orm:

"Genomics Aotearoa is funded as a SSIF Infrastructure Pla orm...."
(h ps://apc01.safelinks.protec on.outlook.com/?url=h ps%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbie.govt.nz%2Fscience-
and-technology%2Fscience-and-innova on%2Ffunding-informa on-and-opportuni es%2Finvestment-
funds%2Fstrategic-science-investment-fund%2Ffunded-infrastructure%2Fgenomics-
aotearoa&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408dcfd2b4962%7C0225efc578
fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609621982906%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoi
MC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8HSqrTAIA
27WUcfypTFMX%2BVvIETHLVyM7rgi0apdbjY%3D&reserved=0)

While the Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) supports both research programmes and scien ﬁc
infrastructure, Genomics Aotearoa's funding came from the Infrastructure category as noted above. MBIE
describes the SSIF as fol ows:

"The Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) supports strategic investment in research programmes and
scien ﬁc infrastructure that have long-term beneﬁcial impact on New Zealand’s health, economy,
environment and society."

"SSIF Infrastructure provides funding for access to and development of large-scale research infrastructure
that is needed to undertake research in priority areas."

(h ps://apc01.safelinks.protec on.outlook.com/?url=h ps%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbie.govt.nz%2Fscience-
and-technology%2Fscience-and-innova on%2Ffunding-informa on-and-opportuni es%2Finvestment-
funds%2Fstrategic-science-investment-
fund&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408dcfd2b4962%7C0225efc578fe4
928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609622015859%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC
4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s6Yp72OOuq
Ttow7jvHrK3NVF1N1cYWbyUWd8JBm5008%3D&reserved=0)

The New Zealand Treasury and the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission deﬁne infrastructure similarly
to one another.

The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga deﬁnes infrastructure in their glossary
(h ps://apc01.safelinks.protec on.outlook.com/?url=h ps%3A%2F%2Ftewaihanga.govt.nz%2Fthe-
strategy%2Fglossary&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408dcfd2b4962%7C
1

0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609622033931%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb
3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdat
a=GOfRtsd89pquDg29GCwfCuK5DoZv727GyKCZL62obGg%3D&reserved=0):

"Infrastructure: Fixed, long-lived structures that facilitate economic performance and wel being.
Infrastructure includes ‘horizontal’ physical networks (principal y transport, water and energy and
telecommunica ons); and ‘ver cal’ infrastructure (buildings such as hospitals, schools and prisons). The
la er are also known as social assets."

The Treasury describes infrastructure as
(h ps://apc01.safelinks.protec on.outlook.com/?url=h ps%3A%2F%2Fwww.treasury.govt.nz%2Finforma
on-and-services%2Fnz-
economy%2Finfrastructure&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408dcfd2b49
62%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609622051382%7CUnknown%7CTWFp
bGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C
&sdata=6aCSOf6jsLJdYHG2ATHyGZliETLohus9EOrRaBiUG34%3D&reserved=0):

"Infrastructure refers to the ﬁxed, long-lived structures that facilitate the produc on of goods and services,
including transport, water, energy, social assets, and digital infrastructure such as our broadband and
mobile networks."

Under the Oﬃcial Informa on Act, I request any documents (including but not limited to: press releases,
reports, emails, and digital presenta ons) having to do with infrastructure built with funding provided by
MBIE to Genomics Aotearoa that meets either the Infrastructure Commission's or the Treasury's
descrip on of infrastructure above.

Yours faithful y,

Maria Lucento

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Oﬃcial Informa on request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for al replies to this request:
[email address]

Is [University of Otago request email] the wrong address for Oﬃcial Informa on requests to University of Otago? If so, please
contact us using this form:
h ps://apc01.safelinks.protec on.outlook.com/?url=h ps%3A%2F%2Ffyi.org.nz%2Fchange_request%2Fne
w%3Fbody%3Duniversity_of_otago&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408d
cfd2b4962%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609622068552%7CUnknown%
7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C
%7C%7C&sdata=uSElQW1Xi8C36 %2FByASg93TQmpC5HhMNeV9Risy1eI%3D&reserved=0

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make wil be published on the internet. Our privacy and
copyright policies:
h ps://apc01.safelinks.protec on.outlook.com/?url=h ps%3A%2F%2Ffyi.org.nz%2Fhelp%2Foﬃcers&data
=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408dcfd2b4962%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579e
f24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609622088024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwM
2

DAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=24WLa0w6pHXC%2FFa
17w4dojTIkiJR%2FWWH0ij7LDM2VbM%3D&reserved=0

If you ﬁnd this service useful as an Oﬃcial Informa on oﬃcer, please ask your web manager to link to us
from your organisa on's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

3

UoO - Official Information Act
From:
UoO - Official Information Act
Sent:
Wednesday, 6 November 2024 3:37 pm
To:
Maria Lucento
Subject:
RE: Official Information request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa
Funding
Tēnā koe Maria

I acknowledge receipt of your Oﬃcial Informa on Act request below dated 5 November 2024.

If we have any further ques ons or need to seek further clariﬁca on on any points, we wil  be in touch
soon. Otherwise, we wil  seek to respond to your request as soon as prac cable and no later than 20
working days a er the date your request was received (by 3 December 2024). If we are unable to respond
to your request by then, we wil  no fy you of an extension of this  meframe.

Ngā mihi nui
Bil

Bil  Frewen (he/him)
Manager Policy and Compliance | Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa Here mete Tikaka Mahi

Oﬃce of the Registrar and Secretary to the Council | Te Tari o Te Pouroki me te Kaituhi ki te Kaunihera
University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka

Email | Īmera [University of Otago request email]

1

UoO - Official Information Act
From:
UoO - Official Information Act
Sent:
Friday, 8 November 2024 3:46 pm
To:
Cc:
Subject:
RE: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa
Funding (OIA Ref 24-353)
Follow Up Flag:
Fol ow up
Flag Status:
Completed
Kia ora kōrua

Excellent, we have all come to very similar conclusions. I’ll provide a draft response to you,
for consultation with MBIE in due course.

Ngā mihi
s9(2)(g)(i)

From:
Sent: Friday, 8 November 2024 3:16 pm
To: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>
Cc:
Subject: Re: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-
353)

Kia ora Bill,

Thanks for getting in touch.

I’ve looped in
as she and I were in a
meeting this morning with MBIE to discuss an identical copy of this OIA request that was sent to the
Ministry (from the same submitter via fyi.org).

We’ve agreed that based on the definitions that were provided in the request, GA was actually not
contracted to deliver that type of infrastructure, so there are no relevant documents to make
available.

1

I would suggest that we make a relatively minimal response along those lines, and then direct the
requestor to the GA website if they are interested in the work that we were contracted by MBIE to
undertake.

s9(2)(g)(i)

Ngā mihi

On 8/11/2024, at 2:26 PM, UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]> wrote:

Kia ora kōrua

has suggested I contact you in relation to an Official Information Act
(OIA) request, our discussion about a response, and possible engagement with our
MBIE SSIF funders.

All the relevant information appears below. We would be most grateful for your
consideration and advice whenever convenient.

Ngā mihi

2

From:
Sent: Friday, 8 November 2024 12:01 pm
To: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>;
Subject: RE: OIA request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-353)

Kia ora

My recommendation is to include the
in the
discussion about a response.  They will also have the most relevant contact for
someone in MBIE that knows most about GA (and may be dealing with the OIA they
have received).

I also agree that we should be willing to decline the request if we are being asked about
mapping the investments GA has made to wider definitions of ‘infrastructure’ that is
information that we currently do not hold.

I hope this is helpful.

Best regards.

Kā mihi,


From: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>
Sent: Friday, 8 November 2024 11:09 am
To
Cc
Subject: OIA request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-353)

Kia ora

Just flagging this OIA request:  … any documents (including but not limited to: press
releases, reports, emails, and digital presentations) having to do with infrastructure
3

built with funding provided by MBIE to Genomics Aotearoa that meets either the
Infrastructure Commission's or the Treasury's description of infrastructure above.

The request (in full below) extensively discusses MBIE’s, Treasury’s and the
Infrastructure Commission’s respective definitions of ‘infrastructure’ – the latter two
are focussed on long-lived physical infrastructure assets (but Treasury’s recognises
social and digital assets).

(As you know) MBIE’s SSIF funding is in two categories – ‘Programme’ and
‘Infrastructure’ – with Genomics Aotearoa in the latter.  MBIE variously describes SSIF
Infrastructure as ‘research infrastructure’ and ‘scientific infrastructure.’
s9(2)(g)(i)

I have considered a transfer of the request to MBIE, but the requestor has already made
the same request to MBIE via fyi.org.nz.

My question is whether you have any views, or a contact at MBIE who might appreciate
engagement on this?   If not, I’ll approach MBIE’s OIA team directly before I consult the
requestor.

Ngā mihi

Dear University of Otago,

University of Otago is the host organisation for Genomics Aotearoa a $39.752 mil ion
7 year infrastructure programme which concluded on 30 June 2024. I am writing to
request information under the Official Information Act.

According to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Genomics
Aotearoa was funded as an infrastructure platform:

"Genomics Aotearoa is funded as a SSIF Infrastructure Platform... "
4

(https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbie.g
ovt.nz%2Fscience-and-technology%2Fscience-and-innovation%2Ffunding-
information-and-opportunities%2Finvestment-funds%2Fstrategic-science-
investment-fund%2Ffunded-infrastructure%2Fgenomics-
aotearoa&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408dcfd
2b4962%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609621982
906%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJB
TiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8HSqrTAIA27WUcfypTFM
X%2BVvIETHLVyM7rgi0apdbjY%3D&reserved=0)

While the Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) supports both research
programmes and scientific infrastructure, Genomics Aotearoa's funding came from
the Infrastructure category as noted above. MBIE describes the SSIF as fol ows:

"The Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) supports strategic investment in
research programmes and scientific infrastructure that have long-term beneficial
impact on New Zealand’s health, economy, environment and society."

"SSIF Infrastructure provides funding for access to and development of large-scale
research infrastructure that is needed to undertake research in priority areas."

(https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbie.g
ovt.nz%2Fscience-and-technology%2Fscience-and-innovation%2Ffunding-
information-and-opportunities%2Finvestment-funds%2Fstrategic-science-
investment-
fund&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408dcfd2b49
62%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609622015859%
7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik
1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s6Yp72OOuqTtow7jvHrK3NVF1
N1cYWbyUWd8JBm5008%3D&reserved=0)

The New Zealand Treasury and the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission define
infrastructure similarly to one another.

The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga defines infrastructure in
their glossary
(https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftewaihanga.
govt.nz%2Fthe-
strategy%2Fglossary&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14
a7f408dcfd2b4962%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663
609622033931%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2
luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GOfRtsd89pqu
Dg29GCwfCuK5DoZv727GyKCZL62obGg%3D&reserved=0):

"Infrastructure: Fixed, long-lived structures that facilitate economic performance
and wel being. Infrastructure includes ‘horizontal’ physical networks (principal y
transport, water and energy and telecommunications); and ‘vertical’ infrastructure
(buildings such as hospitals, schools and prisons). The latter are also known as social
assets."

5

The Treasury describes infrastructure as
(https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.treasu
ry.govt.nz%2Finformation-and-services%2Fnz-
economy%2Finfrastructure&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa
84d14a7f408dcfd2b4962%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C6
38663609622051382%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJ
QIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6aCSOf
6jsLJdYHG2ATHyGZliETLohus9EOrRaBiUG34%3D&reserved=0):

"Infrastructure refers to the fixed, long-lived structures that facilitate the production
of goods and services, including transport, water, energy, social assets, and digital
infrastructure such as our broadband and mobile networks."

Under the Official Information Act, I request any documents (including but not
limited to: press releases, reports, emails, and digital presentations) having to do
with infrastructure built with funding provided by MBIE to Genomics Aotearoa that
meets either the Infrastructure Commission's or the Treasury's description of
infrastructure above.

Yours faithful y,

Maria Lucento

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for al replies to this request:
[email address]

Is [University of Otago request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to University
of Otago? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffyi.org.nz%2F
change request%2Fnew%3Fbody%3Duniversity_of_otago&data=05%7C02%7Coia%
40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f408dcfd2b4962%7C0225efc578fe4928b157
9ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C638663609622068552%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3
d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7
C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uSElQW1Xi8C36fj%2FByASg93TQmpC5HhMNeV9Risy1eI%3D
&reserved=0

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make wil be published on the
internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffyi.org.nz%2F
help%2Fofficers&data=05%7C02%7Coia%40otago.ac.nz%7C49ee525efaa84d14a7f4
08dcfd2b4962%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C0%7C0%7C6386636096
22088024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMz
IiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=24WLa0w6pHXC%2
FFa17w4dojTIkiJR%2FWWH0ij7LDM2VbM%3D&reserved=0

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.
6

-------------------------------------------------------------------

7

UoO - Official Information Act
From:
UoO - Official Information Act
Sent:
Friday, 22 November 2024 2:26 pm
To:
Subject:
RE: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa
Funding (OIA Ref 24-353)
Kia ora

I hadn’t drafted our response yet, so MBIE’s draft is most welcome, thank you – I had intended
something similar in any event, which I’ll get to you shortly.
Out of scope

From:
Sent: Thursday, 21 November 2024 4:57 pm
To: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-
353)

Hello again

Please find attached MBIE’s response to the infrastructure OIA which they have asked us to pass on to you, so
that our responses are similar.
They have also asked to see our response before we submit it.

Out of scope
1

Happy to pop over early next week to discuss,

Cheers

From:
Sent: Thursday, 21 November 2024 4:39 pm
To: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-
353)
Importance: High

Kia ora

Just checking in to see how you are going with the OIA with regards to infrastructure and whether you have
copy we can share with MBIE at this stage?

Ngā mihi,

From: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>
Sent: Friday, 8 November 2024 3:46 pm
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-
353)

Kia ora kōrua

Excellent, we have all come to very similar conclusions. I’ll provide a draft response to you,
for consultation with MBIE in due course.

Ngā mihi
2

From:
Sent: Friday, 8 November 2024 3:16 pm
To: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>
Cc:
Subject: Re: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-
353)

Kia ora

Thanks for getting in touch.

I’ve looped in
as she and I were in a
meeting this morning with MBIE to discuss an identical copy of this OIA request that was sent to the
Ministry (from the same submitter via fyi.org).

We’ve agreed that based on the definitions that were provided in the request, GA was actually not
contracted to deliver that type of infrastructure, so there are no relevant documents to make
available.

I would suggest that we make a relatively minimal response along those lines, and then direct the
requestor to the GA website if they are interested in the work that we were contracted by MBIE to
undertake.

s9(2)(g)(i)
Ngā mihi

3

UoO - Official Information Act
From:
Sent:
Tuesday, 3 December 2024 9:37 am
To:
Cc:
UoO - Official Information Act;
UoO - Official Information Act
Subject:
Re: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa
Funding (OIA Ref 24-353)
Yep. Send it!

On 3 Dec 2024, at 9:24 AM,
wrote:
Kia ora koutou,

This is well worded and succinct.

I agree - very nice!

Ngā mihi nui

On 2/12/2024, at 2:36 PM
wrote:

Tēnā koe

This is well worded and succinct.
1

is on annual leave today, but I am sure he will reply first thing tomorrow
morning.
I am also forwarding this to

Ngā mihi,

From: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>
Sent: Monday, 2 December 2024 12:08 pm
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics
Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-353)

Kia ora kōrua

Please find attached a draft OIA response, as previously discussed.

Any comments very welcome. The response is due the Wednesday 4
December.
From: UoO - Official Information Act <[University of Otago request email]>
Sent: Friday, 8 November 2024 3:46 pm
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Official Information Act request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics
Aotearoa Funding (OIA Ref 24-353)

Kia ora kōrua

Excellent, we have all come to very similar conclusions. I’ll provide a
draft response to you
, for consultation with MBIE in due
course.

Ngā mihi
2

UoO - Official Information Act
From:
UoO - Official Information Act
Sent:
Tuesday, 3 December 2024 2:10 pm
To:
Maria Lucento
Subject:
RE: Official Information request - Infrastructure Built using Genomics Aotearoa
Funding
Attachments:
Maria Lucento OIA response.pdf
Tēnā koe Maria

Please see a ached the University of Otago's response to your Oﬃcial Informa on Act request dated 5
November 2024.

Ngā mihi
Bil

Bil  Frewen
Manager Policy and Compliance | Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa Here mete Tikaka Mahi

Oﬃce of the Registrar and Secretary to the Council | Te Tari o Te Pouroki me te Kaituhi ki te Kaunihera
University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka

Email | Īmera [University of Otago request email]

1