1 Nov 2021 Advice to disregard medical exemptions (clause 7A of the vaccinations order)
Erika Whittome made this Official Information request to Ministry of Education
Currently waiting for a response from Ministry of Education, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).
From: Erika Whittome
Dear Ministry of Education,
I refer to an update from the Ministry of Education dated 1 November 2021 sent to school leaders which says:
"Update
Monday 1 November 2021
Ngā mihi o te ahiahi,
Thank you for all feedback sent through about last week’s bulletins – it was good to hear that the information about responding to employment matters was clear.
There are two key priorities for guidance this week: a table of information that outlines the
nuances of who needs a vaccination and who doesn’t, and a definition for medical exemptions and what to do with staff who have one. The Ministry of Health is publishing guidance on exemptions shortly, and we’ll then prepare our own and have it ready for you later this week.
There has been quite a lot of media coverage about "bogus medical exemptions". I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.
....
Nāku iti noa, nā,
Iona"
Would you kindly share all the correspondence, memos, emails, minutes, guidance discussions presented to Iona Holsted to "strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions..." on 1 November 2021?
Yours faithfully,
Erika Whittome
From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
Thank you for your email to the Ministry of Education.
This is an auto generated response confirming your email has been received.
Please do not respond to this message.
We will respond to your email as soon as possible.
Tēnā koe mō tō īmēra mai ki te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga.
He urupare aunoa tēnei hei whakaatu kua tae mai tō īmēra
ki a mātou. Kaua noa e whakautu i tēnei karere.
Mea ake nei ka urupare tonu atu mātou ki tō īmēra.
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recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this
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error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the
email and attachments. The Ministry of Education accepts no
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From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
Kia ora Erika
Thank you for the information request below. The Ministry will consider and respond to your request in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Under section 15(1) of the Act, we are required to make and inform you of our decision on your request as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case not later than 20 working days after the day on which your request is received. You can therefore expect to receive our decision on your request on or before the 3rd of February 2025. If more than 20 working days are needed due to the potential workload and/or consultations involved in answering your request, we will notify you accordingly.
Please note, the period between 25 December – 15 January are not considered to be “working days” for the purposes of calculating the 20 working day timeframe for providing a response under the Act.
In the interim, if you have any questions about your request, please email [email address].
Ngā mihi
Enquiries National Team | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education | AG
education.govt.nz
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai ōna huanga
-----Original Message-----
From: Erika Whittome <[FOI #29557 email]>
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2024 6:25 AM
To: Enquiries National <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - 1 Nov 2021 Advice to disregard medical exemptions (clause 7A of the vaccinations order)
[You don't often get email from [FOI #29557 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear Ministry of Education,
I refer to an update from the Ministry of Education dated 1 November 2021 sent to school leaders which says:
"Update
Monday 1 November 2021
Ngā mihi o te ahiahi,
Thank you for all feedback sent through about last week’s bulletins – it was good to hear that the information about responding to employment matters was clear.
There are two key priorities for guidance this week: a table of information that outlines the nuances of who needs a vaccination and who doesn’t, and a definition for medical exemptions and what to do with staff who have one. The Ministry of Health is publishing guidance on exemptions shortly, and we’ll then prepare our own and have it ready for you later this week.
There has been quite a lot of media coverage about "bogus medical exemptions". I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.
....
Nāku iti noa, nā,
Iona"
Would you kindly share all the correspondence, memos, emails, minutes, guidance discussions presented to Iona Holsted to "strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions..." on 1 November 2021?
Yours faithfully,
Erika Whittome
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #29557 email]
Is [Ministry of Education request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Ministry of Education? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
________________________________
DISCLAIMER:
This email and any attachments may contain information that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this email and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of Education accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after transmission from the Ministry.
hide quoted sections
From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
Tēnā koe Erika
Thank you for your email of 15 December 2024 via the FYI website to the
Ministry of Education (the Ministry) requesting the following information
under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
I refer to an update from the Ministry of Education dated 1 November 2021
sent to school leaders which says:
Update
Monday 1 November 2021
Ngā mihi o te ahiahi,
Thank you for all feedback sent through about last week’s bulletins – it
was good to hear that the information about responding to employment
matters was clear.
There are two key priorities for guidance this week: a table of
information that outlines the nuances of who needs a vaccination and who
doesn’t, and a definition for medical exemptions and what to do with staff
who have one. The Ministry of Health is publishing guidance on exemptions
shortly, and we’ll then prepare our own and have it ready for you later
this week.
There has been quite a lot of media coverage about "bogus medical
exemptions". I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until
information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.
....
Nāku iti noa, nā,
Iona
Would you kindly share all the correspondence, memos, emails, minutes,
guidance discussions presented to Iona Holsted to "strongly advise not to
accept any medical exemptions..." on 1 November 2021?
We note that the full sentence that you have partially quoted in your
request is “I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until
information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.”
Please note that the reason for the Secretary for Education advising as
such is provided in the previous sentence of the Bulletin item you have
transcribed, where it states that “The Ministry of Health is publishing
guidance on exemptions shortly, and we’ll then prepare our own and have it
ready for you later this week.”
This means that the Secretary was advising the education sector to wait
for the planned guidance from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry
before accepting medical exemptions, in order to make informed decisions.
It does not mean that the Secretary was advising the sector not to accept
any medical exemptions. Your request is therefore based on a false
premise, and is refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as the information
requested does not exist.
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to
review the decision on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the
Act. You can do this by writing to [1][email address] or to
Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā,
Official and Parliamentary Information | Ministry of Education | ED
[2]education.govt.nz
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai
ōna huanga
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent
outcomes
[3][IMG]
-----Original Message-----
From: Erika Whittome <[4][FOI #29557 email]>
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2024 6:25 AM
To: Enquiries National <[5][email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - 1 Nov 2021 Advice to disregard
medical exemptions (clause 7A of the vaccinations order)
[You don't often get email from
[6][FOI #29557 email]. Learn why this is
important at [7]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear Ministry of Education,
I refer to an update from the Ministry of Education dated 1 November 2021
sent to school leaders which says:
"Update
Monday 1 November 2021
Ngā mihi o te ahiahi,
Thank you for all feedback sent through about last week’s bulletins – it
was good to hear that the information about responding to employment
matters was clear.
There are two key priorities for guidance this week: a table of
information that outlines the nuances of who needs a vaccination and who
doesn’t, and a definition for medical exemptions and what to do with staff
who have one. The Ministry of Health is publishing guidance on exemptions
shortly, and we’ll then prepare our own and have it ready for you later
this week.
There has been quite a lot of media coverage about "bogus medical
exemptions". I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until
information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.
....
Nāku iti noa, nā,
Iona"
Would you kindly share all the correspondence, memos, emails, minutes,
guidance discussions presented to Iona Holsted to "strongly advise not to
accept any medical exemptions..." on 1 November 2021?
Yours faithfully,
Erika Whittome
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[8][FOI #29557 email]
Is [9][Ministry of Education request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to Ministry of Education? If so, please contact us
using this form:
[10]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[11]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
This email and any attachments may contain information that is
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this
email and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in
error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the
email and attachments. The Ministry of Education accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.
References
Visible links
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2. http://www.education.govt.nz/
3. https://www.education.govt.nz/
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5. mailto:[email address]
6. mailto:[FOI #29557 email]
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hide quoted sections
From: Erika Whittome
Dear Enquiries National,
The text is “ I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.”
Would you kindly share the requested information that gave rise to this statement on 1 Nov 2021
Yours sincerely,
Erika Whittome
From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
Thank you for your email to the Ministry of Education.
This is an auto generated response confirming your email has been received.
Please do not respond to this message.
We will respond to your email as soon as possible.
Tēnā koe mō tō īmēra mai ki te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga.
He urupare aunoa tēnei hei whakaatu kua tae mai tō īmēra
ki a mātou. Kaua noa e whakautu i tēnei karere.
Mea ake nei ka urupare tonu atu mātou ki tō īmēra.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
This email and any attachments may contain information that is
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this
email and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in
error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the
email and attachments. The Ministry of Education accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.
hide quoted sections
From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
Kia ora Erika
Thank you for the information request below. The Ministry will consider
and respond to your request in accordance with the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act).
Under section 15(1) of the Act, we are required to make and inform you of
our decision on your request as soon as reasonably practicable and in any
case not later than 20 working days after the day on which your request is
received. You can therefore expect to receive our decision on your request
on or before 11 February 2025. If more than 20 working days are needed due
to the potential workload and/or consultations involved in answering your
request, we will notify you accordingly.
Please note, the period between 25 December – 15 January are not
considered to be “working days” for the purposes of calculating the 20
working day timeframe for providing a response under the Act.
The Ministry may publicly release on our website the response to your
request five days after you have received it. Any personal information
will be removed.
In the interim, if you have any questions about your request, please email
[1][email address]
Ngā mihi
Enquiries National Team | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of
Education | TW
[2]education.govt.nz
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent
outcomes
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai
ōna huanga
[3]Te TD huhu o te MD tauranga
-----Original Message-----
From: Erika Whittome <[4][FOI #29557 email]>
Sent: Friday, December 20, 2024 8:21 AM
To: Enquiries National <[5][email address]>
Subject: Re: 1341475 - Erika Whittome - Advice on medical exemptions
Dear Enquiries National,
The text is “ I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until
information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.”
Would you kindly share the requested information that gave rise to this
statement on 1 Nov 2021
Yours sincerely,
Erika Whittome
-----Original Message-----
Tēnā koe Erika
Thank you for your email of 15 December 2024 via the FYI website to the
Ministry of Education (the Ministry) requesting the following information
under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
I refer to an update from the Ministry of Education dated 1 November 2021
sent to school leaders which says:
Update
Monday 1 November 2021
Ngā mihi o te ahiahi,
Thank you for all feedback sent through about last week’s bulletins – it
was good to hear that the information about responding to employment
matters was clear.
There are two key priorities for guidance this week: a table of
information that outlines the nuances of who needs a vaccination and who
doesn’t, and a definition for medical exemptions and what to do with
staff who have one. The Ministry of Health is publishing guidance on
exemptions shortly, and we’ll then prepare our own and have it ready for
you later this week.
There has been quite a lot of media coverage about "bogus medical
exemptions". I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until
information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.
....
Nāku iti noa, nā,
Iona
Would you kindly share all the correspondence, memos, emails, minutes,
guidance discussions presented to Iona Holsted to "strongly advise not to
accept any medical exemptions..." on 1 November 2021?
We note that the full sentence that you have partially quoted in your
request is “I strongly advise not to accept any medical exemptions until
information from both the Ministry of Health and us is published.”
Please note that the reason for the Secretary for Education advising as
such is provided in the previous sentence of the Bulletin item you have
transcribed, where it states that “The Ministry of Health is publishing
guidance on exemptions shortly, and we’ll then prepare our own and have
it ready for you later this week.”
This means that the Secretary was advising the education sector to wait
for the planned guidance from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry
before accepting medical exemptions, in order to make informed decisions.
It does not mean that the Secretary was advising the sector not to accept
any medical exemptions. Your request is therefore based on a false
premise, and is refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as the
information requested does not exist.
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to
review the decision on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the
Act. You can do this by writing to [1][email address] or to Office of the
Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā,
Official and Parliamentary Information | Ministry of Education | ED
[2]education.govt.nz
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai
ōna huanga We shape an education system that delivers equitable and
excellent outcomes [3][IMG]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[6][FOI #29557 email]
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[7]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
This email and any attachments may contain information that is
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this
email and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in
error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the
email and attachments. The Ministry of Education accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.education.govt.nz/
3. https://www.education.govt.nz/
4. mailto:[FOI #29557 email]
5. mailto:[email address]
6. mailto:[FOI #29557 email]
7. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
hide quoted sections
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