4 July 2025
E Parks
[FYI request #31080 email]
Kia ora
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-040813
Thank you for your email of 12 June 2025, asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Ngā mihi for your response to my OIA request. While I acknowledge your reply, I respectfully disagree with the reasons given for declining the
request. Most organisations should have automated systems that allow retrieval of Teams
messages, especially for a defined timeframe and named individuals. That said, I’m happy to refine my request to make it even more reasonable. I now seek the
information only for the period from 1 November 2024 to 31 December 2024. This is a short and
specific window that should not be unreasonably difficult to fulfil. I also expect this revised request to be processed within the original statutory timeframes. If you
believe a delay is necessary, please provide a clear explanation – including a step-by-step
outline of the logistical process required to access and provide the information.
This request followed your previous request of 24 May 2025:
In light of significant public interest following recent media reporting related to ACC’s
procurement practices, culture, and executive conduct, I am requesting information that will
support transparency and public accountability of executive decision-making and internal
communication. Pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information: A complete record of all one-to-one digital communications exchanged between the following
ACC executives in their official capacities: - Megan Main, Chief Executive - Stewart McRobie, Chief Financial Officer - Michael Frampton, Deputy Chief Executive – People and Culture and Service Delivery - John Bennett, Deputy Chief Executive – System Commissioning and Performance. This request applies to all direct communications (except emails) between any two of the above
individuals (i.e. Main–McRobie, Main–Frampton, Main–Bennett, McRobie–Frampton, Bennett
Frampton, McRobie–Bennett), via any of the following platforms:
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- Microsoft Teams (including Teams chat, direct messages, and call summaries) - WhatsApp (where used for work purposes) - SMS or text messages - Any other direct messaging service used to conduct ACC business Timeframe: All communications exchanged between 1 January 2023 and 24 May 2025. This request covers messages transmitted via any device (personal or corporate) used for
official ACC business. The public interest in the transparency of executive communication is
high.
Our response
Between 1 November 2024 and 31 December 2024 ACC estimates there could be up to approximately
400 text messages between the four staff members. These messages would require manual collation
by the staff members named in the request, which would take these staff members away from their
core responsibilities for a substantial amount of time. As such, we are refusing your request under
section 18(f) of the Act.
In doing so, we considered extending our timeframe to respond and charging (as allowed under the
Act). However, it was determined that the resources required to collate the information would have a
significant impact on the everyday functions of the people involved.
If you would like to make another request for Teams messages and texts between these staff members,
limited to a particular topic or topics, we would be happy to consider it.
If you have any questions about this response, please get in touch
You can email me at
[email address]. If you are not happy with this response, you can
also contact the Ombudsman vi
a [email address] or by phoning 0800 802 602.
Information about how to make a complaint is available a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Ngā mihi
Christopher Johnston
Manager Official Information Act Services Government Engagement
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