Tēnā koe

Pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information. I have itemised my request into clear sections, consistent with the Ombudsman’s guidance for specificity and ease of processing.

1. Correspondence with Specified Organisations
Please provide all correspondence (including emails, letters, file notes, and meeting records) between the Ministry for the Environment and the following organisations, from 1 January 2025 to the present:
a) The Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants (Cool-Safe)
b) A-Gas New Zealand
c) Beijer Ref and any subsidiaries
d) RefDestruct
e) Heat Pump Suppliers Association
f) Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers of New Zealand (IHRACE)

2. Synthetic Refrigerants Product Stewardship Scheme
Please provide all briefings, memos, and advice prepared by the Ministry for, or provided to, the Minister for the Environment regarding the synthetic refrigerants product stewardship scheme, from 1 January 2025 to the present.

3. Meeting-Specific Briefings and Notes
Please provide all briefing papers, meeting notes, memos, or other advice prepared by the Ministry for the Minister for the Environment in advance of, or following, the following meetings:
a) A-Gas New Zealand meeting with Mitchell Williamson – 5 March 2025
b) Chemical Destruction Services meeting with Clifton Madgwick, Michelle Kazor, and Aimie Hines – 27 March 2025
c) Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants (Cool-Safe) meeting with Janine Brinsdon and Michelle Kazor – 1 April 2025
d) Heat Pump Suppliers Association meeting with Darryl Rochester and Greg Picker – 15 May 2025

4. Timeliness of Response
I draw your attention to section 15(1)(b) of the Official Information Act, which requires that information be made available “as soon as reasonably practicable.” The Ombudsman has also made clear that agencies should not delay releasing information until the maximum statutory timeframe, nor hold all material for release in a single batch if some is available earlier.

Accordingly, I request that the material covered by this request be released progressively and without undue delay, in tranches if necessary, as soon as it is identified and ready for release.

Ngā mihi nui,

Kate A