13 August 2025
Our Ref: C63467
By email: [FYI request #31365 email]
Tēnā koe, John,
Official Information Act Request
We refer to your request made via email dated 22 June 2025 in which you requested the
following:
The REA board meeting minutes from 1st Jan 2024 to now (22nd Jun 2025). Additionally, if
there are any related documents, reading materials, or attachments associated with these
minutes, please include those as well.
By email on 8 July 2025, you narrowed the scope of your request to “only the minutes
themselves, excluding any associated papers”.
We have considered your request under the OIA. On 16 July 2025 we notified you of an
extension for our time to respond to your request to 13 August 2025.
Information being released
We have made a decision to release the documents captured by your request to you, subject
to withholding certain information under the withholding grounds outlined below.
We note that some of the minutes included are unsigned, noting that the signed versions were
in a format that made redaction and release challenging. I can confirm the content is identical.
The information released to you is attached.
Information not being released
Where information has been redacted it has been withheld under:
section 6(c) of the OIA as making the information available would be likely to prejudice
the maintenance of the law including the investigation and detection of offences and
the right to a fair trial;
section 9(2)(a) of the OIA because the withholding of information is required to protect
the privacy of natural persons;
section 9(2)(b)(ii) of the OIA as releasing the information would unreasonably
prejudice the commercial position of the parties;
section 9(2)(ba) of the OIA to protect information which is subject to an obligation of
confidence and its release would likely prejudice the supply of similar information and
its supply is in the public interest, or would be likely to otherwise damage the public
interest;
section 9(2)(g) of the OIA as the withholding of the information is justified as it related
to free and frank expression of opinions by members or officers of a public service
agency in the course of their duty;
section 9(2)(h) of the OIA as the withholding of the information is necessary to
maintain legal professional privilege; and
section 9(2)(i) of the OIA as releasing the information would unreasonably prejudice
the ability to carry out commercial activities.
We note that a number of names of internal staff and third parties have been withheld as we
were unable to consult with them about the release of their names, as required by the REA’s
Official Information Act Policy.
We note that the board minutes from two meetings, on 12 April 2024 and 20 May 2025 have
been withheld in full pursuant to sections 9(2)(a) and 9(2)(h) of the OIA.
Next steps
You have the right to make a complaint, in respect of this response, to the Ombudsman.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
You may make the complaint online at that web address, by email at
[email address], or in writing to the following address:
The Ombudsman
PO Box 10 152
WELLINGTON 6143
Nāku iti noa, nā
Andrew Tringham
General Counsel
Real Estate Authority
