Correspondence and costs related to PM's helicopter jaunt with Australian PM
T. Kendrew made this Official Information request to Department of Internal Affairs
The request was partially successful.
From: T. Kendrew
Dear Department of Internal Affairs (Visits and Ceremonial Office),
I have been advised by the Prime Minister's Office that the total costs for the helicopter flight taken during the Australian Prime Minister's visit in August of this year totaled $44,010.00 (including GST) for the chartering of two helicopters to transport the delegation. The amount also includes costs associated with ensuring security protocols (such as the use of co-pilots and dual controls) were met to ensure the safety of the official party.
I am requesting under the Official Information Act:
(1) Any other costs associated with flying to the mountaintop/filming social media content/sharing a pavlova with the Australian PM, and
(2) any communications within the VCO, or with external parties (including MFAT, PMO, and the Australian Government) regarding that activity.
Yours faithfully,
T. Kendrew
From: MaSS info
Department of Internal Affairs
Kia ora T. Kendrew,
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act to the
Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) dated 9 September 2025.
In which you requested the following:
1. Any other costs associated with flying to the mountaintop/filming
social media content/sharing a pavlova with the Australian PM, and
2. any communications within the VCO, or with external parties (including
MFAT, PMO, and the Australian Government) regarding that activity.
The Department will provide its response to your request as soon as
practicable and within twenty working days. The due date for your request
is 7 October 2025.
Please note that in cases where the Department’s response provides
information that is identified to be of general public interest, the
response may also be published on the Department of Internal Affairs
website. If the Department publishes its response to your OIA request, all
personal information, including your name and contact details, will be
removed.
Ngā mihi
Ministerial Services
Partnerships and Commissions Branch
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
[1]www.dia.govt.nz
[2]Logo: Internal Affairs - Te Tari Taiwhenua
References
Visible links
1. http://www.dia.govt.nz/
From: MaSS info
Department of Internal Affairs
Kia ora T. Kendrew,
We are writing to you regarding your Official Information Act (the Act)
request made to the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) on 9
September 2025. In which you requested the following:
1. Any other costs associated with flying to the mountaintop/filming
social media content/sharing a pavlova with the Australian PM, and
2. any communications within the VCO, or with external parties (including
MFAT, PMO, and the Australian Government) regarding that activity.
As part two of your request is of a broad nature, it will require
substantial collation and research and therefore may likely be refused
under section 18(f) of the Act. The Department is required under section
18B of the Act to consult with you about amending your request to a form
that would remove our reasons for refusal. As such, could you please
refine or provide a clarification in relation to part two of your request
by COB 22 September 2025 to enable this to progress ahead.
If we do not receive a refinement from you, a decision may be made based
on the information we hold at hand. If you would like further assistance
in relation to your request, kindly reply back to this email.
Ngā mihi
Ministerial Services
Partnerships and Commissions Branch
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
[1]www.dia.govt.nz
[2]Logo: Internal Affairs - Te Tari Taiwhenua
References
Visible links
1. http://www.dia.govt.nz/
From: T. Kendrew
Dear MaSS info,
With regards to part 2 of my request, you can limit the search to correspondence with Australian officials in which these specific activities are suggested, organised and/or discussed:
(1) flying by helicopter to the mountain
(2) serving/eating a pavlova with the Australian PM
Yours sincerely,
T. Kendrew
From: MaSS info
Department of Internal Affairs
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Kia ora T. Kendrew,
Please find the attached response to your Official Information Act request
from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Ngā mihi
Ministerial Services
Partnerships and Commissions | Te Aukaha
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
[1]www.dia.govt.nz
[2]Logo: Internal Affairs - Te Tari Taiwhenua
References
Visible links
1. http://www.dia.govt.nz/
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).
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