26 September 2025
By email:
[FYI request #32159 email]
Tēnā koe James
Official information request regarding COVID-19 inquiry legal representation to former
Ministers
Our Ref: OIA-2526026
1.
We refer to your official information request dated 29 August 2025 regarding legal
representation provided to four former Labour Ministers:
When was the legal representation first commenced/invoiced?
Has any legal representation or invoices for services provided for Jacinda Ardern, Grant
Robertson, Chris Hipkins or Ayesha Verrall been provided by Dentons lawyer, Linda
Clark.
Please provide dates of these invoices. and all dates of invoices from Dentons relating
to this matter.
2.
We have interpreted your request as asking for information relating to legal
representation provided to former Ministers as part of the Royal Commission of
Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned (Phase 2) (
COVID-19 Inquiry).
3.
Legal representation for Dame Jacinda Ardern, Hon Grant Robertson, Rt Hon Chris
Hipkins and Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall was first engaged on 20 May 2025.
4.
In relation to your query whether any legal representation has been provided by
Linda Clark, we are withholding that information under s 9(2)(a) of the Official
Information Act 1982 to protect the privacy of natural persons. We are satisfied
the interest in protecting privacy is not outweighed by any other considerations,
in the public interest, to make this information available.
5.
The invoices from Dentons for legal services provided to former Ministers relating
to the COVID-19 Inquiry as at 26 September 2025 are dated as follows:
5.1
27 June 2025.
5.2
29 July 2025.
5.3
28 August 2025.
6.
Please note that we may publish this response (with your personal details
redacted), and any related documents, on Crown Law’s website if we decide
proactive release of this information is or may be in the public interest. If you have
Level 2 Justice C entre, 19 Aitken Street, Wel ington 6011 | PO Box 2858 or DX SP20208, Wel ington 6140, New Zealand | +64 4 472 1719 | crownlaw.govt.nz
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any concerns about this, please let us know within 10 working days of the date of
this letter.
7.
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.
8.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[email address].
Yours faithfully
Crown Law
Mark Bryant
Team Manager
Public Law 4
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