Operation Curly documentary
Will Evans made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police
Response to this request is delayed. By law, New Zealand Police should normally have responded promptly and by (details and exceptions)
From: Will Evans
Kia ora,
I’d like to make an OIA request for information held by the Police.
I would like the following information:
* All communications between the Police and NHNZ Productions regarding or Tom Phillips search/investigation (officially known as Operation Curly), and the documentary NHNZ has been producing about Tom Phillips.
* All communications between the Police and Dame Julie Christie regarding the aformentioned Police search/investigation and documentary.
* All communications between the Police and any members of the crew of the aforementioned documentary that pertain to or otherwise mention the aforementioned documentary and Police search/investigation.
* Copies of any written agreements or contracts the Police had with NHNZ Productions, Dame Julie Christie, or the crew of the aforementioned documentary.
* All other Police documents pertaining to or otherwise mentioning the aforementioned documentary.
For context: on September 10 Radio New Zealand reported that an NHNZ Productions documentary crew had been following the Police search/investigation into Tom Phillips.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/screens/tv/do...
Ngā mihi,
Will Evans
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe Will
I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 request below, received by Police on 24 September 2025.
Your reference number is IR-01-25-36318.
You can expect a response to your request on or before 22 October 2025 unless an extension is needed.
Ngā mihi
McCoy
Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Kia ora Will
I refer to your request below. I have been asked to advise you that Police requires an extension of time in which to respond to your request, pursuant to section 15A(1) of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Specifically, section 15A(1)(b), consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.
Police requires until 20 November 2025 to provide a substantive response to your request, however we are endeavouring to provide this to you as soon as possible.
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about this extension. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi,
Tracy
Senior Advisor | Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
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- Download a zip file of all correspondence (note: this contains the same information already available above).
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