13 October 2025
Chris McCashin
[FYI request #32243 email]
Tēnā koe Chris McCashin
Official Information Act request
Thank you for your email of 5 September 2025, requesting information from the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. On 16 September 2025, part of
this request was transferred to the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry)
regarding the total number of people on refugee visas who are receiving ongoing
accommodation supplement or benefit payments or other welfare assistance.
I have considered this part of your request under the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act). Please find my decision on your request set out below.
•
Total number of all visa types issued for entry into New Zealand, please
provide the following data for the most recent full calendar year (or please
specify the available date range): […]
For the Refugee Category specifically, please also provide:
o
Ongoing accommodation support
o
Benefit payments and other welfare assistance
Your request for information about the total number of people of refugee status
receiving ongoing accommodation support and benefit payments is refused under
section 18(f) of the Act, as substantial manual collation would be required to collate
this information. If held, this information would only be contained within individual
client files, which would each require manual review to respond to your request.
The greater public interest is in the effective and efficient administration of the
public service.
I have considered whether the Ministry would be able to respond to your request
given extra time, or the ability to charge for the information requested. I have
concluded that, in either case, the Ministry’s ability to undertake its work would
still be prejudiced.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[email address].
The Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, PO Box 1556, Wellington
– Telephone 04-916 3300 – Facsimile 04-918 0099
If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right to
seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to
make a complaint is available a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Anna Graham
General Manager Ministerial and Executive Services
