Length of time civil records are held
Hannah Baxter made this Official Information request to Ministry of Justice
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      From: Hannah Baxter
      
    
    Dear Ministry of Justice,
I know from NZ Police records that civilian records (such as an officer's personnel file, record of service, etc) are held for up to 30 years and then removed.
What is the length of time information such as addresses are kept by the Ministry of Justice for civilians (not criminals)?
Criminal history check asks for addresses going back 10 years - I am continually being asked for information going back 30-plus years which disturbs me.
Why is this? It is quite clear that the names match, the addresses match, there are no criminal convictions - why is the ministry on a witchhunt to add in addresses that are up to 30-plus years old and of no relevance whatsoever any more?
How long does the Ministry keep this type of CIVIL record (when it is not related to anything criminal) and why am I asked for it when it's clear who is requesting and subsequent requests under single surnames have been returned fine.
Yours faithfully,
Hannah Baxter
        From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
        Ministry of Justice
      
    
    Tēnā koe,
 
Thank you for contacting the [1][Ministry of Justice request email] mailbox at the
 Ministry of Justice.  
 
This automatic message is to confirm we have received your email - we hope
 to acknowledge you and advise next steps within two working days.  
 
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 holidays or between 17:00 and 08:00 hours on working days.
  
 Official Information Act requests can take up to 20 working days to
 receive a response.  If the Ministry needs more time, we will inform you.
 .
Ngā mihi,
Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
 Ministry of Justice
Justice Centre I Aitken Street
DX Box SX 10088 I Wellington
[2]www.justice.govt.nz
 
 
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        From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
        Ministry of Justice
      
    
    Tēnā koe Hannah,
Thank you for emailing the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry).
We acknowledge receipt of your request under the Official Information Act
 1982.  Specifically, you requested:
o What is the length of time information such as addresses are kept by
 the Ministry of Justice for civilians (not criminals)? 
 o Criminal history check asks for addresses going back 10 years - I am
 continually being asked for information going back 30-plus years which
 disturbs me. 
 o Why is this?  It is quite clear that the names match, the addresses
 match, there are no criminal convictions - why is the ministry on a
 witchhunt to add in addresses that are up to 30-plus years old and of
 no relevance whatsoever any more? 
 o How long does the Ministry keep this type of CIVIL record (when it is
 not related to anything criminal) and why am I asked for it when it's
 clear who is requesting and subsequent requests under single surnames
 have been returned fine. 
This has been forwarded onto the relevant business unit to respond to. 
The Ministry may publish the response to your request on our website, you
 can expect that if your OIA is to be published that this will take place
 at least 10 working days after it has been sent you. Your name and any
 other personal information will be withheld under Section 9(2)(a) (protect
 the privacy of natural persons). 
You can expect a response by 29^th April 2025.
 
Ngā mihi,
 
Ministerial Services
   
Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture [1]justice.govt.nz
 
 
show quoted sections
        From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
        Ministry of Justice
      
    
     Tēnā koe Hannah,
 
Please see attached the Ministry’s response to your Official Information
 Act request of 27 March 2025.
 
Ngā mihi,
 
  Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture
 Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street, Wellington (6011)
[1][email address]
[2][email address]
[3][Ministry of Justice request email]
[4]justice.govt.nz
 
 
 
show quoted sections
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