Pay negotiations 2024 - arbitrator conflict of interest

Katie Torrington made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police

Response to this request is delayed. By law, New Zealand Police should normally have responded promptly and by (details and exceptions)

From: Katie Torrington

Dear New Zealand Police,

I am writing to submit a renewed request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). This request follows my original submission dated 15 July 2024, which was declined under sections 18(c)(i) and 9(2)(j) of the Act.

Given that the pay negotiations between the Government and the Police Association for sworn officers have since concluded, I believe the grounds for withholding previously cited — particularly section 9(2)(j) regarding active negotiations — no longer apply.

I therefore respectfully request the following information:

1) The number of, and nature of, any contracts or engagements between NZ Police and Vicki Campbell or Equilibrium Legal from June 2023 to June 2024.

2) Any declarations of conflict of interest made by Vicki Campbell in relation to her role as arbitrator in the recently concluded sworn officer pay negotiations.

3) Records of communication between NZ Police and Vicki Campbell or Equilibrium Legal regarding her appointment as arbitrator for those negotiations.

If any part of this request remains subject to section 18(c)(i) of the OIA, I ask that NZ Police clarify precisely how the Arbitration Act 1996 prevents disclosure, and whether a summary or redacted version could reasonably be provided under section 16 of the OIA.

As the negotiations have concluded and the matter is of public interest, I believe the public interest in transparency now outweighs any residual need for confidentiality.

Yours faithfully,

Katie Torrington

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Tēnā koe

I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request below.

Your reference number is IR-01-25-17291.

You can expect a response to your request on or before 9 June 2025 unless an extension is needed.

Ngā mihi
Siena (she/her)
Advisor - Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Kia ora

I refer to your request below. I have been asked to advise you that Police requires an extension of time in which to respond to your request, pursuant to section 15A(1) of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Specifically, section 15A(1)(b), consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.

Police requires until 16 June 2025 to provide a substantive response to your request, however we are endeavouring to provide this to you as soon as possible.

You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about this extension. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Kind regards, Michelle
Advisor – Police National Headquarters

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From: Katie Torrington

Dear Ministerial Services,

I refer to my Official Information Act request, for which you required an extension until 16 June 2025. As this date has now passed and I have not yet received a substantive response, I am following up to request an update.

I note that the timeframe under the OIA has now expired.

Yours sincerely,

Katie Torrington

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