13 February 2026
25-OIAD-00155
Te Okiwa MacLean
[FYI request #32543 email]
Tēnā koe Te Okiwa
Thank you for your email of 10 December 2025 requesting the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act) of the Ministry for the Environment (the Ministry):
I am seeking the following metadata-only information limited to the Tūmatakōkiri
directorate relating to this request.
1. Quantification of search-term results for Tūmatakōkiri (metadata only)
For each search term used in the Ministry’s search process (e.g., “bullying”,
“psychological safety”, “unsafe”, “distress”, “retaliation”, “harm”, or any other term
used), please provide:
•
the total number of items returned that relate to, or were generated within,
Tūmatakōkiri, and
•
a breakdown by month (metadata only).
No content review is requested. A simple count based on metadata fields is
sufficient.
2. Quantification by role type (if metadata allows)
For the same search terms, please provide:
•
number of items sent by Tūmatakōkiri managers,
•
number of items received by Tūmatakōkiri managers,
•
number of items generated by analysts within the directorate.
Again, metadata only — no content required.
3. Reconciliation with earlier OIA response
An earlier OIA response (OIAD1764) indicated no complaints or concerns were
recorded for Tūmatakōkiri.
To assist interpretation:
does the Ministry hold metadata indicating that emails or messages referring to
bullying, psychological safety, unsafe work environments, or wellbeing concerns
were generated within Tūmatakōkiri during the relevant period? If so, how many for
each based on search?
If the Ministry does not hold metadata capable of answering this, please confirm.
4. Avoiding s18(f) (substantial collation or research) issues
If any part of the requested metadata cannot be reasonably extracted without
substantial manual review, please advise:
which specific fields cannot be isolated, and
what narrower, machine-retrievable metadata the Ministry can provide.
On 29 January, the Ministry extended the timeframes to respond to your request by 10
working days, as consultations necessary to make a decision on the request were such that
a proper response to the request could not reasonably be made within the original time limit.
I am withholding the information requested in full under section 9(2)(g)(ii) of the Act, to
maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the protection of such Ministers,
members of organisations, officers, and employees from improper pressure or harassment.
Tūmatakōkiri is a small business group within the Ministry, with only a few kaimahi in people
leadership roles. While your request is limited to metadata, we consider that, in these
circumstances, release of this information would likely result in undue pressure on these
kaimahi.
In terms of section 9(1) of the Act, I am satisfied that, in the circumstances, the withholding
of information in this request is not outweighed by other considerations that render it
desirable to make the information available in the public interest. The ability of our people
leaders to manage their work programmes, successfully tender advice and support to
Ministers and engage with key stakeholders, without undue pressure, outweighs any public
interest considerations that may apply to the metadata sought.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of my decision
on this request, in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details can be
found a
t: www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Yours sincerely
Laura Dixon Deputy Secretary – Business Transformation and Services
Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao
PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143 | Freephone 0800 499 700 | environment.govt.nz
1
PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143 | Freephone 0800 499 700 | environment.govt.nz
1
