25 July 2025
OIAD-1665
Tyler Smith
[FYI request #31421 email]
Tēnā koe Tyler
Thank you for your email of 27 June 2025 requesting the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act) of the Ministry for the Environment (the Ministry):
I’m interested to understand how MfE ended up providing an extra $1,000,000
towards the Lake Tarawera sewerage scheme. Rotorua Lakes Council published
about it here:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rotorual
akescouncil.nz%2Four-
council%2Fnews%2Fnews%3Fitem%3Did%3A2umxymbgg1cxbytrouzy&data=05%
7C02%7COIA%40mfe.govt.nz%7Cad8cb346d0b14b88037d08ddb56536fe%7C761
dd003d4ff40498a728549b20fcbb1%7C0%7C0%7C638866170320364465%7CUnkn
own%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIl
AiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C40000%7C%7C%7C&s
data=zryoVNTV3UtjaFsktIoQesklGZ%2B4iiUAImlUClo2LDs%3D&reserved=0
1. Where did the extra $1,000,000 for the scheme come from?
2. Please provide any briefings/memos regarding the extra $1,000,000 for the
sewerage scheme, including those within MfE and any provided the Environment
Minister.
3. Please provide emails/letters etc which reference the extra $1,000,000 for the
scheme
4. When/who decided to add another $1,000,000 to the scheme? Was the
Environment Minister involved in the decision?
5. Why did Rotorua MP Todd McClay lead the decision announcement instead of MfE
or the Environment Minister?
6. Please provide communications related to the extra money for the scheme,
including emails, txts, app based messages etc
7. When was MfE asked for more money toward the scheme and by who?
I have identified eight documents in scope of your request, as listed in the document
schedule below.
I am releasing four to you in full.
PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143 | Freephone 0800 499 700 | environment.govt.nz
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I am releasing four to you in part, with some information withheld under 9(2)(a) of the Act; to
protect the privacy of natural persons.
In terms of section 9(1) of the Act, I am satisfied that, in the circumstances, the withholding
of information in this request is not outweighed by other considerations that render it
desirable to make the information available in the public interest.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Office of the Ombudsman of
my decisions relating to this request, in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The
relevant details can be f
ound at: www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Please note that due to the public interest in our work, the Ministry publishes responses to
requests for official information shortly after the response has been sent on our website at:
https://environment.govt.nz/about-us/official-information-act-requests/. If you have any
queries about this, please feel free to contact our Ministerial Services team at:
[email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Wes Patrick
Manager – Environmental Investments
Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao
PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143 | Freephone 0800 499 700 | environment.govt.nz
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Document schedule
#
Date
Title
Decision
Grounds
1
25/6/2025
Email: W: Advice requested on additional funding for Lake Tarawera
Release in part
9(2)(a)
Reticulation Scheme
2
26/6/2025
Email: RE: Advice requested on additional funding for Lake Tarawera
Release in part
9(2)(a)
Reticulation Scheme
3
26/6/2025
Draft text for inserting into variation to deed of funding
Release in full
NA
4
26/6/2025
RE: [COMMERCIAL]draft email for Doug?
Release in full
NA
5
26/6/2025
Lake Tarawera Deed of Funding
Release in part
9(2)(a)
6
27/6/2025
ASAP - Variation to the Lake Tarawera Project
Release in full
NA
7
27/6/2025
Crown Funding & Non-Standard Filing Submission Coversheet #25760-2
Release in part
9(2)(a)
8
27/6/2025
Email: RE: [COMMERCAIL]FW: Tarawera Wastewater Funding
Release in full
NA
PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143 | Freephone 0800 499 700 | environment.govt.nz
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