Dear Requestor,

I refer to your request of 20 June 2025. As consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a response cannot reasonably be given within the original time limit, the University has extended the time limit for your request by 10 working days under section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA. The new maximum time limit for the University's response is 1 August 2025; we will respond to your request as soon as reasonably practicable.

You have the right to make a complaint to an Ombudsman if you are dissatisfied with this extension.

Yours sincerely,
Farleigh Quinlivan

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Dear Requestor,

 

I refer to your request of 20 June 2025.  The University’s response
follows:

 

For this year, the Building 507 Park Road Entrance has been converted into
an "access-controlled door", which has not been the case since B507 was
opened in 2020.

 

Please provide, to the extent possible, any information relating to:

 

1.            When the changes occurred, and whether any prior notice was
provided to stakeholders (e.g. students, staff)

The change from unrestricted access to access-controlled took place on 14
November 2024.  Senior staff were sent a notification on 14 November 2024,
and again on 21 March 2025.   Signage was installed on 14 November 2024
and updated signage was installed at the beginning of Semester 1, 2025.

 

2.            The rationale behind restricting access through this
entrance, including any accessibility or risk assessments

The University has experienced issues with members of the public coming
into the building for reasons not associated with University business.  As
the University does not have close monitoring of that particular entrance
it was felt that it was safer for staff and students, to restrict access
to that entrance. Staff or students who have accessibility requirements
are provided with access via this entrance.  In the event of a fire, or a
fire drill, an access override will activate, allowing for both ingress
and egress.

 

3. The rationale behind leaving the Park Avenue Entrance as "open entry"
to anyone in the general public

The Park Ave entry is open Monday to Friday 7:30am – 6:30pm to allow
access to 507 seminar rooms and lower ground clinics.  At present, up to
150 members of the public attend appointments at our lower ground clinics
with appointments starting at 8am daily and running to 5pm.

 

4. The categories of individuals granted access through the door,
including whether students may have been considered as potential users
with access via their campus cards

Access to any space(s) controlled by the University, is granted based on
the individual’s work/study requirements.  More generally speaking, staff
of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, along with services staff,
have access to this door, as do students who require swipe card access for
their courses. 

 

5. Any internal or external communications, discussions, or documentation
regarding this change. If no feedback or discussions with stakeholders
(e.g. students, staff) have occurred, please confirm that no such records
exist

Please find attached two documents regarding this change.  Mobile numbers
have been withheld under s 9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of individuals.

 

We have identified a further three documents which have been withheld
under s 9(2)(g)(i) to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs
through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between Ministers
of the Crown or members of an organisation or officers and employees of
any public service agency or organisation in the course of their duty.

 

6. Any policies, guidelines or procedures that govern the decisions made
to modify/restrict access to University buildings and specific entrances

As noted above, access to any space(s) controlled by the University, is
granted based on the individual’s work/study requirements.

 

Please see below for policies that govern decisions related to building
access.

[1]https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/a...

[2]https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/a...

 

You have the right to complain to an Ombudsman if you are dissatisfied
with this response.

 

Yours sincerely,

Farleigh Quinlivan

 

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