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

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Evans <[FOI #32372 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 23 September 2025 7:24 pm
To: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Official Information request - Operation Curly documentary

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the New Zealand Police Network. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and are assured that the content is safe.

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #32372 email]

Is [New Zealand Police request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to New Zealand Police? 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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately

hide quoted sections

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Ministerial Services
Sent: Friday, 3 October 2025 11:23 AM
To: 'Will Evans' <[FOI #32372 email]>
Subject: OIA acknowledgement - IR-01-25-36318

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Evans <[FOI #32372 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 23 September 2025 7:24 pm
To: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Official Information request - Operation Curly documentary

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the New Zealand Police Network. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and are assured that the content is safe.

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #32372 email]

Is [New Zealand Police request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to New Zealand Police? 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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Will

I apologise for the lateness of the response to your OIA. Unfortunately, it is still being drafted and it will then progress through our internal consultation process. We are endeavouring to get this to you as soon as practicable.

You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about this delay. 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

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Evans <[FOI #32372 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 20 November 2025 8:01 PM
To: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Extension notification: IR-01-25-36318

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the New Zealand Police Network. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and are assured that the content is safe.

Kia ora,

Given that today is the 20th of November and it's getting a bit late, could I please be provided with a copy of the substantive response?

Ngā mihi,
Will Evans

-----Original Message-----

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #32372 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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Will. The response to your request is still being drafted and then it will need to go through our review and approval processes, so unfortunately I am unable at this stage to give you a date by which you can expect the response. I can assure you we are working to get the response to you as soon as possible and thank you for your understanding.

Ngā mihi

Megan

Megan Winch |Team Leader: Ministerial Services |(she/her)
Policy & Government Relations |Police National Headquarters |

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Evans <[FOI #32372 email]>
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2025 12:19 AM
To: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Extension notification: IR-01-25-36318

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the New Zealand Police Network. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and are assured that the content is safe.

Kia ora,

I don't see any reason to make a complaint I'm not really a stickler on the deadline for this request and I don't want to get anyone into strife or bring the Ombudsman into this, I don't find that necessary.

However, if you could give me a date I could expect a decision to be made by I would be grateful and that would give me even less reason to make a complaint.

Ngā mihi,
Will

-----Original Message-----

Kia ora Will

I apologise for the lateness of the response to your OIA. Unfortunately, it is still being drafted and it will then progress through our internal consultation process. We are endeavouring to get this to you as soon as practicable.

You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about this delay. 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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #32372 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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Will. My apologies for the delay in getting your response to you. It is going through the signout process at the moment and I am hopeful you will get the response before the Christmas break. Thank you for your patience, Megan

Megan Winch |Team Leader: Ministerial Services |(she/her)
Policy & Government Relations |Police National Headquarters |

-----Original Message-----
From: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Sent: Sunday, December 7, 2025 5:49 PM
To: WINCH, Megan <[email address]>
Cc: VANDENBERG, Tobias (Toby) <[email address]>; NORFLEET, Teresa (Tracy) <[email address]>
Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Extension notification: IR-01-25-36318

Hi Megan

Please see request for update below for another one of the Tom Phillips OIA. Our response has been drafted and is going through the signout process. Can you please go back to him to apologize for the delay and let him know that we’re doing the best we can to get this to him as soon as practicable?

Many thanks,
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Evans <[FOI #32372 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 7 December 2025 4:28 PM
To: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Extension notification: IR-01-25-36318

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the New Zealand Police Network. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and are assured that the content is safe.

Kia ora,

Just wondering how things are going with this? I get it's a busy time of year, with Christmas holidays and all, but do you think it is on track to be done before New Years?

Ngā mihi,
Will

-----Original Message-----

Kia ora Will

I apologise for the lateness of the response to your OIA. Unfortunately, it is still being drafted and it will then progress through our internal consultation process. We are endeavouring to get this to you as soon as practicable.

You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about this delay. 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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #32372 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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately

hide quoted sections

Hi Will. Just to advise that your response has been drafted and is going
through the signout process. We are doing our best to get this to you as
soon as possible and thank you for your patience. Kind regards Megan

 

 

Ngā mihi

 

Megan

 

Megan Winch |Team Leader: Ministerial Services |([1]she/her)

Policy & Government Relations |Police National Headquarters |

 

 

 

 

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the
addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be
subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which
creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you
are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this
message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this
message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this
message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If
you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the
sender immediately

References

Visible links
1. https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/our-wo...

Tēnā koe Will

 

Please find attached the response and documentation relating to your
Official Information Act request, received by Police on 24 September 2025.

 

Please accept our apologies for the delay in providing you with a response
to your request.

 

Ngā mihi

Lisa

Ministerial Services

Police National Headquarters

 

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the
addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be
subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which
creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you
are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this
message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this
message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this
message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If
you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the
sender immediately