Current Official Information Act request processing manuals and approach
Henricus made this Official Information request to New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
This request has an unknown status. We're waiting for Henricus to read a recent response and update the status.
From: Henricus
Tēnā koe,
On 8 August 2014 the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service responded to a request for information by Joshua Grainger made through the FYI.org.nz website. The NZSIS provided a copy of its Policy on the Release of Information, along with excerpts of its intranet pages detailing its approaches to the Official Information Act (the Act) requests.
The record of this request can be found at: https://fyi.org.nz/request/1722-manuals-...
I would like to request the current edition(s) of these documents or their successors or equivalents.
I am also interested in your approach to assessing material for release when information that is identified as being within the scope of a request for information is classified, given that the criteria for information classification and the statutory withholding criteria under the Act differ.
For example, if a file that is determined to be “in scope” has a classification of Top Secret, do you undertake a fresh review of the contents of the file against the withholding criteria in the Act, or do you rely on the document’s classification as grounds to apply (for example) s 6(a) of the Act without further inquiry?
If there are any documents such as process diagrams or process documents that show how requests are dealt with, could you please provide them.
Although I am making this request to the NZSIS via the FYI website, I understand that the NZSIS shares information request processing with the Government Communications Security Bureau. Could you please treat this request as having been made to both departments (or transfer a copy of this request to the GCSB under s 14 of the Act).
Kind regards
Henricus
From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Tçnâ koe,
Before we begin processing your request, we require more information to establish your eligibility to make a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Per Section 12 of the OIA, to be eligible to make a request you must be:
• a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident;
• a person in New Zealand; or
• a corporate entity (that is, a company or an incorporated society) which is either incorporated in New Zealand or has a place of business here.
Please send information that confirms your eligibility to make an OIA request to the email address on this page: https://www.nzsis.govt.nz/information-re.... This could be a scanned copy of a New Zealand driver’s licence or passport or evidence of residency in New Zealand, such as a utility bill with your name/address. If you are not able to provide any of the above, please contact us to discuss further options for providing proof of eligibility to make a request.
Ngâ mihi,
NZSIS and GCSB
-----Original Message-----
From: Henricus <[FOI #32099 email]>
Sent: Saturday, 23 August 2025 7:50 PM
To: OIA Privacy <[NZSIS request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Current Official Information Act request processing manuals and approach
[You don't often get email from [FOI #32099 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Tçnâ koe,
On 8 August 2014 the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service responded to a request for information by Joshua Grainger made through the FYI.org.nz website. The NZSIS provided a copy of its Policy on the Release of Information, along with excerpts of its intranet pages detailing its approaches to the Official Information Act (the Act) requests.
The record of this request can be found at: https://fyi.org.nz/request/1722-manuals-...
I would like to request the current edition(s) of these documents or their successors or equivalents.
I am also interested in your approach to assessing material for release when information that is identified as being within the scope of a request for information is classified, given that the criteria for information classification and the statutory withholding criteria under the Act differ.
For example, if a file that is determined to be “in scope” has a classification of Top Secret, do you undertake a fresh review of the contents of the file against the withholding criteria in the Act, or do you rely on the document’s classification as grounds to apply (for example) s 6(a) of the Act without further inquiry?
If there are any documents such as process diagrams or process documents that show how requests are dealt with, could you please provide them.
Although I am making this request to the NZSIS via the FYI website, I understand that the NZSIS shares information request processing with the Government Communications Security Bureau. Could you please treat this request as having been made to both departments (or transfer a copy of this request to the GCSB under s 14 of the Act).
Kind regards
Henricus
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #32099 email]
Is [NZSIS request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to New Zealand Security Intelligence Service? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
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 electronic message, together with any attachments, contains information that is provided in confidence and may be subject to legal privilege.
Any classification markings must be adhered to. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not peruse, disclose, disseminate, copy or use the message in
any way. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by return email and then destroy the original message.
The New Zealand Intelligence Community (NZIC) and the departments comprising the NZIC accepts no responsibility for changes to this e-mail, or to any attachments, after its transmission
from NZIC. This communication may be accessed or retained for information assurance purposes. Thank you.
hide quoted sections
From: Henricus
Kia ora
Thank you for your prompt acknowledgement.
I regret I am unable to provide any of the requested documentation.
I am, however, able to confirm my eligibility under s 12(1)(c) of the Act by sending a letter to your post office box (PO Box 900, Wellington).
The New Zealand Post postmark will confirm that I am in New Zealand and therefore eligible to make the request.
Could you kindly confirm that this is acceptable.
Kind regards
Henricus
From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
+AFs-UNCLASSIFIED+AF0-
Kia ora
If we receive a letter with a New Zealand postmark we will be satisfied that you are eligible to make a request. Once we receive the letter, we will accept your request.
Ng+AQE- mihi
NZSIS
+AFs-UNCLASSIFIED+AF0-
-----Original Message-----
From: Henricus +ADw-fyi-request-32099-c3719bef+AEA-requests.fyi.org.nz+AD4-
Sent: Monday, 25 August 2025 5:48 pm
To: OIA Privacy +ADw-oia.privacy+AEA-nzsis.govt.nz+AD4-
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Current Official Information Act request processing manuals and approach
+AFs-You don't often get email from fyi-request-32099-c3719bef+AEA-requests.fyi.org.nz. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... +AF0-
Kia ora
Thank you for your prompt acknowledgement.
I regret I am unable to provide any of the requested documentation.
I am, however, able to confirm my eligibility under s 12(1)(c) of the Act by sending a letter to your post office box (PO Box 900, Wellington).
The New Zealand Post postmark will confirm that I am in New Zealand and therefore eligible to make the request.
Could you kindly confirm that this is acceptable.
Kind regards
Henricus
-----Original Message-----
T+AOc-n+AOI- koe,
Before we begin processing your request, we require more information to establish your eligibility to make a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Per Section 12 of the OIA, to be eligible to make a request you must be:
+ICI- a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident+ADs- +ICI- a person in New Zealand+ADs- or +ICI- a corporate entity (that is, a company or an incorporated society) which is either incorporated in New Zealand or has a place of business here.
Please send information that confirms your eligibility to make an OIA request to the email address on this page: https://www.nzsis.govt.nz/information-re.... This could be a scanned copy of a New Zealand driver+IBk-s licence or passport or evidence of residency in New Zealand, such as a utility bill with your name/address. If you are not able to provide any of the above, please contact us to discuss further options for providing proof of eligibility to make a request.
Ng+AOI- mihi,
NZSIS and GCSB
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
fyi-request-32099-c3719bef+AEA-requests.fyi.org.nz
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
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 electronic message, together with any attachments, contains information that is provided in confidence and may be subject to legal privilege.
Any classification markings must be adhered to. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not peruse, disclose, disseminate, copy or use the message in
any way. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by return email and then destroy the original message.
The New Zealand Intelligence Community (NZIC) and the departments comprising the NZIC accepts no responsibility for changes to this e-mail, or to any attachments, after its transmission
from NZIC. This communication may be accessed or retained for information assurance purposes. Thank you.
hide quoted sections
From: Henricus
Kia ora
Thanks for confirming this.
I will get something in the post early this week. Could you please confirm once you have received it and are able to begin processing my request.
Kind regards
Henricus
From: Henricus
Kia ora
A postcard was posted to you confirming my presence in New Zealand on 3 September 2025. Can you please confirm whether you have received it?
Yours faithfully,
Henricus
From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Hello
Yes, we have received it and accepted your request on that basis.
Kind regards
NZSIS
-----Original Message-----
From: Henricus <[FOI #32099 email]>
Sent: Saturday, 20 September 2025 3:21 PM
To: OIA Privacy <[NZSIS request email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Current Official Information Act request processing manuals and approach
Kia ora
A postcard was posted to you confirming my presence in New Zealand on 3 September 2025. Can you please confirm whether you have received it?
Yours faithfully,
Henricus
-----Original Message-----
+AFs-UNCLASSIFIED+AF0-
Kia ora
If we receive a letter with a New Zealand postmark we will be satisfied that you are eligible to make a request. Once we receive the letter, we will accept your request.
Ng+AQE- mihi
NZSIS
+AFs-UNCLASSIFIED+AF0-
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #32099 email]
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
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 electronic message, together with any attachments, contains information that is provided in confidence and may be subject to legal privilege.
Any classification markings must be adhered to. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not peruse, disclose, disseminate, copy or use the message in
any way. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by return email and then destroy the original message.
The New Zealand Intelligence Community (NZIC) and the departments comprising the NZIC accepts no responsibility for changes to this e-mail, or to any attachments, after its transmission
from NZIC. This communication may be accessed or retained for information assurance purposes. Thank you.
hide quoted sections
Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence (note: this contains the same information already available above).
Offensive? Unsuitable?
Requests for personal information and vexatious requests are not considered valid requests for Official Information (read more).
If you believe this request is not suitable, you can report it for attention by the site administrators
Report this request