On behalf of Hon James Meager, thank you for your correspondence. Please
note that this acknowledgement is an automatically generated email.

While the Minister considers all correspondence to be important, and every
message is carefully read and considered, it is not always possible to
reply personally to all emails. As such, the following guidelines apply:

If you are a constituent in the Rangitata electorate getting in touch
about a local issue, please email [email address] and
the electorate office team will get respond to you.

Invitations and meeting requests will be considered as soon as possible,
and a member of the office will be in contact with you in due course.

If your email message falls outside of Minister Meager’s portfolio
responsibilities, expresses a personal view, or is copied to multiple
Members of Parliament, your correspondence will be noted and/or
transferred to another office.

Requests for Official Information and requests made under the Privacy Act
will be managed in accordance with the provisions of the Official
Information Act, which may include transfer to a more relevant Minister or
agency.

Thank you for taking the time to write,

Kind Regards

Hi,
 
Thank you for your request for official information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Office of Hon James Meager. You requested:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025."

The reference number for your request is: JMOIA-47

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Office will endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after the day your request was received. You can expect a response by Monday 14 July 2025.
 
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800 802 602. 

Regards,

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Kia ora,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and Te Rito o te Pāremata.

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing, governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or delivery roles.

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and duration

b. Funding Policies
Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative, infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments
Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout, underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

d. Funding Model Decision-Making
Please provide documentation that explains:

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are assessed differently to other applicants

e. Youth Consultant Engagement
For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

Number engaged per year
Payment rates and total remuneration
Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or engagement templates

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy
Please provide:

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led mahi under this Strategy

g. Monitoring and Evaluation
Please provide:

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

h. Ministerial Correspondence
Please provide:

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments) about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager (current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote: Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting documents on the following:

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from $23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion) Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development funding post-2025/26

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

Note:
I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or refinement would assist processing.

Ngā mihi nui,
Lola Fisher
Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #31303 email]

Is [James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Hi,

I refer to your Official Information Act request of Friday 13 June for:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025"

I have transferred parts a-g of your request to the Ministry of Youth Development, as your request is more closely connected to their functions (section 14(b)(ii) of the OIA refers). In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the Official Information Act 1982 to transfer your request.

You will hear further from the Ministry of Youth Development concerning those parts of your request.

Regards,
Jake

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN)
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2025 10:13 AM
To: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Hi,
 
Thank you for your request for official information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Office of Hon James Meager. You requested:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025."

The reference number for your request is: JMOIA-47

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Office will endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after the day your request was received. You can expect a response by Monday 14 July 2025.
 
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800 802 602. 

Regards,

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Kia ora,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and Te Rito o te Pāremata.

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing, governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or delivery roles.

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and duration

b. Funding Policies
Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative, infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments
Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout, underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

d. Funding Model Decision-Making
Please provide documentation that explains:

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are assessed differently to other applicants

e. Youth Consultant Engagement
For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

Number engaged per year
Payment rates and total remuneration
Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or engagement templates

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy
Please provide:

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led mahi under this Strategy

g. Monitoring and Evaluation
Please provide:

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

h. Ministerial Correspondence
Please provide:

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments) about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager (current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote: Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting documents on the following:

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from $23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion) Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development funding post-2025/26

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

Note:
I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or refinement would assist processing.

Ngā mihi nui,
Lola Fisher
Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #31303 email]

Is [James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Hi,

I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (The OIA) request of 13 June 2025 for Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

Please note that parts a-g of this request have been previously transferred to the Ministry of Youth Development (see below) and we retain parts h & I only.

In relation to part h, you requested:

"h. Ministerial Correspondence
Please provide:
Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments) about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager (current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers".

This request is likely to be refused under Section 18(f) of the OIA as it would require substantial collation. Youth funding and engagement are broad terms which would encompass a large portion of the Ministerial correspondence for the time period you specified. Therefore, it is likely that your original request will need to be amended to enable us to respond. Could you please advise whether there are specific elements of Ministerial correspondence which are interested in being made available, in order to enable us to better accommodate your request. For example if there are specific providers which you are seeking information on.

Please note that any amendment of a request is considered to be a new request for the purpose of calculating the maximum statutory timeframe for a response - see section 15(1AA) of the OIA.

Please contact our office on 04 817 6830 if you would like assistance refining your request.

Regards,

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN)
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2025 4:38 PM
To: [FOI #31303 email]
Cc: [email address]
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Hi,

I refer to your Official Information Act request of Friday 13 June for:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025"

I have transferred parts a-g of your request to the Ministry of Youth Development, as your request is more closely connected to their functions (section 14(b)(ii) of the OIA refers). In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the Official Information Act 1982 to transfer your request.

You will hear further from the Ministry of Youth Development concerning those parts of your request.

Regards,
Jake

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN)
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2025 10:13 AM
To: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Hi,

Thank you for your request for official information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Office of Hon James Meager. You requested:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025."

The reference number for your request is: JMOIA-47

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Office will endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after the day your request was received. You can expect a response by Monday 14 July 2025.

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.

Regards,

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Kia ora,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and Te Rito o te Pāremata.

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing, governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or delivery roles.

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and duration

b. Funding Policies
Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative, infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments
Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout, underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

d. Funding Model Decision-Making
Please provide documentation that explains:

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are assessed differently to other applicants

e. Youth Consultant Engagement
For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

Number engaged per year
Payment rates and total remuneration
Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or engagement templates

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy
Please provide:

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led mahi under this Strategy

g. Monitoring and Evaluation
Please provide:

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

h. Ministerial Correspondence
Please provide:

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments) about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager (current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote: Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting documents on the following:

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from $23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion) Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development funding post-2025/26

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

Note:
I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or refinement would assist processing.

Ngā mihi nui,
Lola Fisher
Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #31303 email]

Is [James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Tēnā koe Lola Fisher,

 

Thank you for your request regarding youth funding and strategy
implementation, including evaluations transferred from the Office of Hon
James Meager on 16 June 2025, under the Official Information Act 1982.
Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate officials at National
Office to respond. You may expect a decision regarding your request to be
sent to you as soon as possible.

 

The information you have requested may contain the names and contact
details of our staff. Please let us know by 23 June 2025 whether you
require these names and contact details. We will need to consult our staff
before deciding whether we can release this information, and this will
take a bit more time. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that you
do not require staff names and contact details.

 

Ngā manaakitanga,

 

Official Information Team   |  Ministerial and Executive Services

Ministry of Social Development | Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora

 

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whānau

 

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

Hi Lola

Thank you very much for coming back to us to refine the scope.

The inclusion of your final bullet point below means that your request is still likely to be refused under Section 18(f) of the OIA as it would require substantial collation. 'Youth engagement' is a broad term that would capture the majority of correspondence for the Youth portfolio.

However, collation for the specific groups that you have mentioned would likely be manageable, and we could work on your request for information pertaining to those:

All emails and written communications (including attachments) between the offices of Hon James Meager and/or Hon Matt Doocey and the following youth-focused organisations or initiatives, regarding youth engagement or youth funding, between 1 October 2023 and 1 June 2025:
• Youth Advisory Group at MYD
• Ara Taiohi
• Inside Out Kōaro
• Youthline
• Shift Foundation / Shift Aotearoa
• Raise Up (YMCA).

Please let us know if that refinement of scope would be suitable, or alternatively feel free to contact our office on 04 817 6830 if you would like further assistance refining your request.

Please note that any amendment of a request is considered to be a new request for the purpose of calculating the maximum statutory timeframe for a response - see section 15(1AA) of the OIA.

Ngā mihi

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 19 June 2025 11:26 AM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Subject: Re: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Tēnā koutou,

Thank you for your response regarding my Official Information Act request.

In relation to part (h) of my request — Ministerial correspondence — I’m happy to refine the scope in order to enable a more manageable response under section 18(f).

I’m requesting:
All emails and written communications (including attachments) between the offices of Hon. James Meager and/or Hon. Matt Doocey and the following youth-focused organisations or initiatives, regarding youth engagement or youth funding, between 1 October 2023 and 1 June 2025:
• Youth Advisory Group at MYD
• Ara Taiohi
• InsideOUT Kōaro
• Youthline
• Shift Foundation / Shift Aotearoa
• Raise Up (YMCA)
• Any correspondence mentioning “youth consultants” or “youth advisors” or “youth engagement” contracted by the Ministry of Youth Development or Ministry of Social Development

If this refinement still presents significant challenges, I’d appreciate further guidance on narrowing the request.

Yours faithfully,

Lola Fisher

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #31303 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Lola

Picking up on the below email, the following part of your request is very broad and substantial manual collation would likely be required in order to locate and retrieve all information in scope:

g. Monitoring and Evaluation
Please provide:

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

As an alternative, can we please suggest that you refine this part of your request to be for up to two providers (you would select those two providers), between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025?

Please let us know if this refinement suggestion is workable for you. Can you please aim to let us know by 5pm this Wednesday (16 July 2025), if we do not hear from you before then, we will respond to this part of your request as it is worded, however please note that it will likely be refused under section 18(f) of the Act as it would require substantial manual collation.

Thanks

Official and Parliamentary Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministry of Social Development

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whānau

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2025 4:38 PM
To: [FOI #31303 email]
Cc: OIA_Requests (MSD) <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Hi,

I refer to your Official Information Act request of Friday 13 June for:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025"

I have transferred parts a-g of your request to the Ministry of Youth Development, as your request is more closely connected to their functions (section 14(b)(ii) of the OIA refers). In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the Official Information Act 1982 to transfer your request.

You will hear further from the Ministry of Youth Development concerning those parts of your request.

Regards,
Jake

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN)
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2025 10:13 AM
To: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Hi,

Thank you for your request for official information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Office of Hon James Meager. You requested:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025."

The reference number for your request is: JMOIA-47

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Office will endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after the day your request was received. You can expect a response by Monday 14 July 2025.

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.

Regards,

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Kia ora,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and Te Rito o te Pāremata.

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing, governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or delivery roles.

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and duration

b. Funding Policies
Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative, infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments
Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout, underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

d. Funding Model Decision-Making
Please provide documentation that explains:

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are assessed differently to other applicants

e. Youth Consultant Engagement
For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

Number engaged per year
Payment rates and total remuneration
Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or engagement templates

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy
Please provide:

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led mahi under this Strategy

g. Monitoring and Evaluation
Please provide:

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

h. Ministerial Correspondence
Please provide:

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments) about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager (current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote: Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting documents on the following:

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from $23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion) Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development funding post-2025/26

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

Note:
I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or refinement would assist processing.

Ngā mihi nui,
Lola Fisher
Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #31303 email]

Is [James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Social Development accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after transmission from the Ministry.

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Lola

Following on, I am writing to you regarding your request for information below. This letter is to advise you that the Ministry for Youth Development has received the relevant parts of your request, however requires more time to respond to this request. In accordance with section 15(1) and 15A of the Official Information Act, the Ministry’s decision will be with you no later than 26 August 2025.

The reason for the extension is that 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.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/ or 0800 802 602.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel free to contact [email address]

I will respond to you sooner if I am able to.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Official and Parliamentary Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministry of Social Development

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whānau

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2025 4:38 PM
To: [FOI #31303 email]
Cc: OIA_Requests (MSD) <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Hi,

I refer to your Official Information Act request of Friday 13 June for:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025"

I have transferred parts a-g of your request to the Ministry of Youth Development, as your request is more closely connected to their functions (section 14(b)(ii) of the OIA refers). In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the Official Information Act 1982 to transfer your request.

You will hear further from the Ministry of Youth Development concerning those parts of your request.

Regards,
Jake

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN)
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2025 10:13 AM
To: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Hi,

Thank you for your request for official information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Office of Hon James Meager. You requested:

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025."

The reference number for your request is: JMOIA-47

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Office will endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after the day your request was received. You can expect a response by Monday 14 July 2025.

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.

Regards,

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Kia ora,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and Te Rito o te Pāremata.

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing, governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or delivery roles.

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and duration

b. Funding Policies
Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative, infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments
Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout, underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

d. Funding Model Decision-Making
Please provide documentation that explains:

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are assessed differently to other applicants

e. Youth Consultant Engagement
For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

Number engaged per year
Payment rates and total remuneration
Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or engagement templates

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy
Please provide:

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led mahi under this Strategy

g. Monitoring and Evaluation
Please provide:

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

h. Ministerial Correspondence
Please provide:

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments) about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager (current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote: Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting documents on the following:

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from $23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion) Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development funding post-2025/26

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

Note:
I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or refinement would assist processing.

Ngā mihi nui,
Lola Fisher
Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #31303 email]

Is [James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Social Development accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after transmission from the Ministry.

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Lola,

 

On behalf of Hon James Meager, I refer to your official information act
request of Monday 16 June for information including:

 

o How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was reflected in budget
decisions for 2025/26

 

I have transferred this part of your request to the office of Hon Louise
Upston, as your request is more closely connected to their functions
(section 14(b)(i) of the OIA refers). In these circumstances, we are
required by section 14 of the Official Information Act to transfer this
part of your request.

 

You will hear further from Hon Louise Upston concerning that part of your
request.

 

We also wanted to check in with you, as the information you have requested
contains the names and contact details of staff and other individuals,
e.g. young people. Please let us know by Thursday 17 July whether you
would require the names and contact details. We will need to consult any
individuals before deciding whether we can release their personal
information, and this may take a bit more time.

 

Regards,

 

Office of Hon James Meager

Minister for the South Island

Minister for Hunting and Fishing

Minister for Youth

Associate Minister of Transport

 
Phone: 04 817 6830

Email: [1][James Meager request email] Website: [2]www.Beehive.govt.nz

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is
confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or
transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by
replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is
prohibited and may be unlawful.

Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’
portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or
constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list:
date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the
meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the
Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will
be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet
with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be
released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a
private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the
provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy
considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a
copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to
be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of
your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the
release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the
sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at
[3]https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN) <[4][James Meager request email]>
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2025 10:13 AM
To: Lola Fisher <[5][FOI #31303 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and
Strategy (2019–2025)

 

Hi,

 

Thank you for your request for official information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Office of Hon James Meager. You
requested:

 

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth
Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth
funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy
implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025."

 

The reference number for your request is: JMOIA-47

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Office will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. You can expect a response by Monday 14
July 2025.

 

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [6][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 

 

Regards,

 

Office of Hon James Meager

Minister for the South Island

Minister for Hunting and Fishing

Minister for Youth

Associate Minister of Transport

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Lola Fisher <[7][FOI #31303 email]>

Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM

To: James Meager (MIN) <[8][James Meager request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and
Strategy (2019–2025)

 

Kia ora,

 

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information
held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the
Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant
engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1
January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

 

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

 

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

 

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to
provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This
includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and
Te Rito o te Pāremata.

 

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing,
governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

 

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or
workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or
delivery roles.

 

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

 

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by
multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of
applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and
duration

 

b. Funding Policies

Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

 

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative,
infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

 

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments

Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

 

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on
outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout,
underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

 

d. Funding Model Decision-Making

Please provide documentation that explains:

 

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on
infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are
assessed differently to other applicants

 

e. Youth Consultant Engagement

For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors
between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

 

Number engaged per year

Payment rates and total remuneration

Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or
wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant
programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or
engagement templates

 

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy

Please provide:

 

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy
supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives
How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence
of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led
mahi under this Strategy

 

g. Monitoring and Evaluation

Please provide:

 

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth
engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

 

h. Ministerial Correspondence

Please provide:

 

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments)
about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager
(current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for
Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

 

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote:
Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting
documents on the following:

 

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from
$23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth
development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant
funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou
Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth
development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led
organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth
leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was
reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding
remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion)
Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development
funding post-2025/26

 

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial
briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

 

Note:

I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the
information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long
as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or
refinement would assist processing.

 

Ngā mihi nui,

Lola Fisher

Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

 

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

 

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

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[9][FOI #31303 email]

 

Is [10][James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this
form:

[11]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[12]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

 

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.

 

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[James Meager request email]
2. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/
3. https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas...
4. mailto:[James Meager request email]
5. mailto:[FOI #31303 email]
6. mailto:[email address]
7. mailto:[FOI #31303 email]
8. mailto:[James Meager request email]
9. mailto:[FOI #31303 email]
10. mailto:[James Meager request email]
11. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fyi.o...
12. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fyi.o...

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Lola,  

 

Thank you for your email which was forwarded to this office on  15^th July
2025 in which you submitted an Official Information Act request as
follows: 

 

 -          How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was reflected in
budget decisions for 2025/26

 

Minister Upston is considering your request in accordance with the Act,
and you can expect a response by 12^th August 2025.

 

 

Thank you

 

 

  Office of Hon Louise Upston | MP for Taupō

Minister for Disability Issues

Minister for Social Development and Employment

Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector

Minister for Child Poverty Reduction

Deputy Leader of the House
   

Website: [1]www.Beehive,govt.nz

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

 

 

From: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 15 July 2025 5:17 PM
To: [FOI #31303 email]
Cc: Louise Upston (MIN) <[email address]>
Subject: FW: [YOUTH] JMOIA-47 - Lola Fisher - part transfer request

 

Kia ora Lola,

 

On behalf of Hon James Meager, I refer to your official information act
request of Monday 16 June for information including:

 

o How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was reflected in budget
decisions for 2025/26

 

I have transferred this part of your request to the office of Hon Louise
Upston, as your request is more closely connected to their functions
(section 14(b)(i) of the OIA refers). In these circumstances, we are
required by section 14 of the Official Information Act to transfer this
part of your request.

 

You will hear further from Hon Louise Upston concerning that part of your
request.

 

We also wanted to check in with you, as the information you have requested
contains the names and contact details of staff and other individuals,
e.g. young people. Please let us know by Thursday 17 July whether you
would require the names and contact details. We will need to consult any
individuals before deciding whether we can release their personal
information, and this may take a bit more time.

 

Regards,

 

Office of Hon James Meager

Minister for the South Island

Minister for Hunting and Fishing

Minister for Youth

Associate Minister of Transport

 
Phone: 04 817 6830

Email: [2][James Meager request email] Website: [3]www.Beehive.govt.nz

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is
confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or
transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by
replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is
prohibited and may be unlawful.

Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’
portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or
constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list:
date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the
meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the
Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will
be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet
with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be
released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a
private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the
provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy
considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a
copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to
be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of
your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the
release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the
sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at
[4]https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN) <[5][James Meager request email]>
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2025 10:13 AM
To: Lola Fisher <[6][FOI #31303 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and
Strategy (2019–2025)

 

Hi,

 

Thank you for your request for official information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Office of Hon James Meager. You
requested:

 

"Official information held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth
Development or the Ministry of Social Development relating to youth
funding, youth consultant engagement, and youth development strategy
implementation between 1 January 2018 and 1 June 2025."

 

The reference number for your request is: JMOIA-47

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Office will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. You can expect a response by Monday 14
July 2025.

 

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [7][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 

 

Regards,

 

Office of Hon James Meager

Minister for the South Island

Minister for Hunting and Fishing

Minister for Youth

Associate Minister of Transport

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Lola Fisher <[8][FOI #31303 email]>

Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM

To: James Meager (MIN) <[9][James Meager request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and
Strategy (2019–2025)

 

Kia ora,

 

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information
held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the
Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant
engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1
January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

 

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

 

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

 

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to
provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This
includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and
Te Rito o te Pāremata.

 

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing,
governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

 

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or
workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or
delivery roles.

 

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

 

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by
multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of
applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and
duration

 

b. Funding Policies

Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

 

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative,
infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

 

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments

Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

 

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on
outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout,
underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

 

d. Funding Model Decision-Making

Please provide documentation that explains:

 

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on
infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are
assessed differently to other applicants

 

e. Youth Consultant Engagement

For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors
between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

 

Number engaged per year

Payment rates and total remuneration

Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or
wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant
programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or
engagement templates

 

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy

Please provide:

 

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy
supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives
How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence
of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led
mahi under this Strategy

 

g. Monitoring and Evaluation

Please provide:

 

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth
engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

 

h. Ministerial Correspondence

Please provide:

 

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments)
about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager
(current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for
Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

 

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote:
Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting
documents on the following:

 

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from
$23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth
development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant
funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou
Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth
development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led
organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth
leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was
reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding
remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion)
Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development
funding post-2025/26

 

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial
briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

 

Note:

I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the
information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long
as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or
refinement would assist processing.

 

Ngā mihi nui,

Lola Fisher

Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

 

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

 

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

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[10][FOI #31303 email]

 

Is [11][James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this
form:

[12]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[13]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

 

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.

 

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.beehive,govt.nz/
2. mailto:[James Meager request email]
3. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/
4. https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas...
5. mailto:[James Meager request email]
6. mailto:[FOI #31303 email]
7. mailto:[email address]
8. mailto:[FOI #31303 email]
9. mailto:[James Meager request email]
10. mailto:[FOI #31303 email]
11. mailto:[James Meager request email]
12. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fyi.o...
13. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fyi.o...

hide quoted sections

Tēnā koe Lola

 

Thank you for your email received 15 July 2025, under the Official
Information Act 1982.

Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate officials at National
Office to respond.

You may expect a decision regarding your request to be sent to you as soon
as possible.

 

Ngā manaakitanga,

 

Official Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services

Ministry of Social Development

 

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to help themselves to be safe, strong and
independent
Ko ta mātou he whakamana tangata kia tū haumaru, kia tū kaha, kia tū
motuhake

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Lola Fisher <[1][FOI #31303 email]>

Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM

To: James Meager (MIN) <[2][James Meager request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and
Strategy (2019–2025)

 

Kia ora,

 

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information
held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the
Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant
engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1
January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

 

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

 

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

 

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to
provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This
includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and
Te Rito o te Pāremata.

 

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing,
governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

 

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or
workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or
delivery roles.

 

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

 

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by
multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of
applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and
duration

 

b. Funding Policies

Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

 

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative,
infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

 

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments

Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

 

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on
outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout,
underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

 

d. Funding Model Decision-Making

Please provide documentation that explains:

 

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on
infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are
assessed differently to other applicants

 

e. Youth Consultant Engagement

For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors
between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

 

Number engaged per year

Payment rates and total remuneration

Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or
wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant
programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or
engagement templates

 

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy

Please provide:

 

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy
supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives
How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence
of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led
mahi under this Strategy

 

g. Monitoring and Evaluation

Please provide:

 

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth
engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

 

h. Ministerial Correspondence

Please provide:

 

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments)
about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager
(current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for
Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

 

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote:
Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting
documents on the following:

 

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from
$23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth
development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant
funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou
Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth
development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led
organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth
leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was
reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding
remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion)
Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development
funding post-2025/26

 

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial
briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

 

Note:

I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the
information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long
as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or
refinement would assist processing.

 

Ngā mihi nui,

Lola Fisher

Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

 

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

 

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

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[3][FOI #31303 email]

 

Is [4][James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this
form:

[5]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[6]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

 

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.

 

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #31303 email]
2. mailto:[James Meager request email]
3. mailto:[FOI #31303 email]
4. mailto:[James Meager request email]
5. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fyi.o...
6. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fyi.o...

hide quoted sections

Tēnā koe Lola

 

Thank you for your email received 15 July 2025, under the Official
Information Act 1982.

Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate officials at National
Office to respond.

 

Ngā manaakitanga,

 

Official Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services

Ministry of Social Development

 

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to help themselves to be safe, strong and
independent
Ko ta mātou he whakamana tangata kia tū haumaru, kia tū kaha, kia tū
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-----Original Message-----

From: Lola Fisher <[1][FOI #31303 email]>

Sent: Friday, 13 June 2025 7:27 PM

To: James Meager (MIN) <[2][James Meager request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and
Strategy (2019–2025)

 

Kia ora,

 

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request official information
held by your office and/or the Ministry of Youth Development or the
Ministry of Social Development relating to youth funding, youth consultant
engagement, and youth development strategy implementation between 1
January 2018 and 1 June 2025.

 

To ensure clarity, I use the following definitions:

 

Young people / Youth: Individuals aged 12–24 years

 

Youth consultants: Young people aged 12–24 engaged or contracted to
provide advice, research, or project input to a government agency. This
includes those engaged through the MYD Youth Advisory Group, The Hive, and
Te Rito o te Pāremata.

 

Infrastructure funding: Funding that supports administration, staffing,
governance, operations, and organisational capacity.

 

Wellbeing support: Any support for mental health, burnout prevention, or
workload management provided to youth in leadership, consultation, or
delivery roles.

 

a. Youth Development Funding (2019–2025) Please provide, by calendar year:

 

Total funding allocated to youth development initiatives Breakdown by
multi-year grants, one-off contracts, and outcome-based funding Number of
applications received and approved in each category Average grant size and
duration

 

b. Funding Policies

Please provide copies of relevant policies or guidelines specifying:

 

Eligibility criteria for youth-led organisations Whether administrative,
infrastructure, or wellbeing costs are eligible for support

 

c. Reviews and Risk Assessments

Please provide internal reviews or reports from 2019–2025 that assess:

 

The adequacy of funding for youth-led initiatives The impact of funding on
outcomes for youth-led organisations Any identified risks such as burnout,
underpayment, or lack of support infrastructure

 

d. Funding Model Decision-Making

Please provide documentation that explains:

 

Why one-off funding is used instead of multi-year models Restrictions on
infrastructure and wellbeing funding Whether youth organisations are
assessed differently to other applicants

 

e. Youth Consultant Engagement

For youth aged 12–24 engaged as consultants, advisors, or contractors
between 2018 and 2025, please provide:

 

Number engaged per year

Payment rates and total remuneration

Contract types used (e.g., fixed-term, project-based) Safeguarding or
wellbeing policies used Any internal evaluations of youth consultant
programmes, specifically of The Hive A copy of any standard contracts or
engagement templates

 

f. Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy

Please provide:

 

Any documents, briefings, or evaluations showing how the Strategy
supported (or failed to support) youth-led or youth-engaged initiatives
How the Strategy influenced youth funding or engagement decisions Evidence
of outcomes, implementation challenges, or resource gaps for youth-led
mahi under this Strategy

 

g. Monitoring and Evaluation

Please provide:

 

Any monitoring, audit, or evaluation reports about the delivery of youth
engagement programmes or youth-led funding outcomes

 

h. Ministerial Correspondence

Please provide:

 

Copies of all emails and written communications (including attachments)
about youth funding or youth engagement involving Hon. James Meager
(current Minister for Youth) and Hon. Matt Doocey (former Minister for
Youth), including correspondence with agencies or other ministers

 

i. Estimates of Appropriations 2025/26: Clarifications Based on Vote:
Social Development 2025/26, please provide clarification and supporting
documents on the following:

 

Why the Partnering for Youth Development appropriation decreased from
$23.7m (2024/25) to $18.5m (2025/26) Why administrative support for youth
development decreased from $6.3m to $3.88m The process behind significant
funding reductions to providers such as Youthline Auckland, Te Ora Hou
Northland, and Zeal Aotearoa Whether any part of the 2025/26 youth
development budget supports: multi-year funding for youth-led
organisations; infrastructure support; wellbeing or safeguarding for youth
leaders and consultants How the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was
reflected in budget decisions for 2025/26 Why youth development funding
remains under 0.1% of the total Vote: Social Development ($24.69 billion)
Any forward-looking assessments or forecasts regarding youth development
funding post-2025/26

 

Please provide any relevant internal documents, policy papers, ministerial
briefings, or budget advice that informed these decisions.

 

Note:

I acknowledge this request is substantial. I am open to receiving the
information in stages and do not object to an extended timeframe, as long
as communication is maintained. Please contact me if clarification or
refinement would assist processing.

 

Ngā mihi nui,

Lola Fisher

Co-Executive Director, Gen-Z Aotearoa

 

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

 

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

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[3][FOI #31303 email]

 

Is [4][James Meager request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to James Meager? If so, please contact us using this
form:

[5]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[6]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

 

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.

 

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

This email and any attachments may contain information that is
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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 Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

References

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hide quoted sections

OIA_Requests (MSD) would like to recall the message, "20250717 Acknowledgement - FISHER ".
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 Social Development accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after transmission from the Ministry.

Kia ora,

On behalf of Hon James Meager, I refer to your official information request dated 23 June for the following information:

All emails and written communications (including attachments) between the offices of Hon James Meager and/or Hon Matt Doocey and the following youth-focused organisations or initiatives, regarding youth engagement or youth funding, between 1 October 2023 and 1 June 2025:
• Youth Advisory Group at MYD
• Ara Taiohi
• Inside Out Kōaro
• Youthline
• Shift Foundation / Shift Aotearoa
• Raise Up (YMCA).

I am writing to notify you that under s15A(1)(a) of the Official Information Act 1982 your information request of 23 June will be extended by a further ten working days due to consultation. Our response will be provided by Monday 4 August.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Regards,

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Sent: Monday, 23 June 2025 11:04 AM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Dear Office of James Meager (MIN),

Tēnā koutou,

Thank you for your response and for helping refine the scope of my request.

Yes, I’m happy to proceed with the amended request as outlined in your previous response. Please consider this confirmation to proceed with the refined scope.

Ngā mihi nui,
Lola Fisher

-----Original Message-----

Hi Lola

Thank you very much for coming back to us to refine the scope.

The inclusion of your final bullet point below means that your request is still likely to be refused under Section 18(f) of the OIA as it would require substantial collation. 'Youth engagement' is a broad term that would capture the majority of correspondence for the Youth portfolio.

However, collation for the specific groups that you have mentioned would likely be manageable, and we could work on your request for information pertaining to those:

All emails and written communications (including attachments) between the offices of Hon James Meager and/or Hon Matt Doocey and the following youth-focused organisations or initiatives, regarding youth engagement or youth funding, between 1 October 2023 and 1 June 2025:
• Youth Advisory Group at MYD
• Ara Taiohi
• Inside Out Kōaro
• Youthline
• Shift Foundation / Shift Aotearoa
• Raise Up (YMCA).

Please let us know if that refinement of scope would be suitable, or alternatively feel free to contact our office on 04 817 6830 if you would like further assistance refining your request.

Please note that any amendment of a request is considered to be a new request for the purpose of calculating the maximum statutory timeframe for a response - see section 15(1AA) of the OIA.

Ngā mihi

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.B...
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.... .

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #31303 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Dear Lola,

Please find attached a response to your request for official information from Minister for Youth, Hon James Meager.

Yours sincerely

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: James Meager (MIN)
Sent: Monday, 21 July 2025 3:00 PM
To: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Kia ora,

On behalf of Hon James Meager, I refer to your official information request dated 23 June for the following information:

All emails and written communications (including attachments) between the offices of Hon James Meager and/or Hon Matt Doocey and the following youth-focused organisations or initiatives, regarding youth engagement or youth funding, between 1 October 2023 and 1 June 2025:
• Youth Advisory Group at MYD
• Ara Taiohi
• Inside Out Kōaro
• Youthline
• Shift Foundation / Shift Aotearoa
• Raise Up (YMCA).

I am writing to notify you that under s15A(1)(a) of the Official Information Act 1982 your information request of 23 June will be extended by a further ten working days due to consultation. Our response will be provided by Monday 4 August.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Regards,

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releas....

-----Original Message-----
From: Lola Fisher <[FOI #31303 email]>
Sent: Monday, 23 June 2025 11:04 AM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Youth Funding, Engagement, and Strategy (2019–2025)

Dear Office of James Meager (MIN),

Tēnā koutou,

Thank you for your response and for helping refine the scope of my request.

Yes, I’m happy to proceed with the amended request as outlined in your previous response. Please consider this confirmation to proceed with the refined scope.

Ngā mihi nui,
Lola Fisher

-----Original Message-----

Hi Lola

Thank you very much for coming back to us to refine the scope.

The inclusion of your final bullet point below means that your request is still likely to be refused under Section 18(f) of the OIA as it would require substantial collation. 'Youth engagement' is a broad term that would capture the majority of correspondence for the Youth portfolio.

However, collation for the specific groups that you have mentioned would likely be manageable, and we could work on your request for information pertaining to those:

All emails and written communications (including attachments) between the offices of Hon James Meager and/or Hon Matt Doocey and the following youth-focused organisations or initiatives, regarding youth engagement or youth funding, between 1 October 2023 and 1 June 2025:
• Youth Advisory Group at MYD
• Ara Taiohi
• Inside Out Kōaro
• Youthline
• Shift Foundation / Shift Aotearoa
• Raise Up (YMCA).

Please let us know if that refinement of scope would be suitable, or alternatively feel free to contact our office on 04 817 6830 if you would like further assistance refining your request.

Please note that any amendment of a request is considered to be a new request for the purpose of calculating the maximum statutory timeframe for a response - see section 15(1AA) of the OIA.

Ngā mihi

Office of Hon James Meager
Minister for the South Island
Minister for Hunting and Fishing
Minister for Youth
Associate Minister of Transport

Phone: 04 817 6830
Email: [James Meager request email] Website: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.B...
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive release policy at https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.... .

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #31303 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://fyi....

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.

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

hide quoted sections