Tēnā koutou,

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982 regarding the Public Service Commission's social media and digital advertising campaigns concerning strike action scheduled for 23 October 2025, and any other industrial or employment relations activities in 2025.

The scope of this is related to social media campaigns and/or advertisements run by Te Kawa Mataaho // Public Service Commission on Facebook/Instagram (Meta platforms) and any other social media sites - with specific reference to campaigns and/or advertisements with reference to industrial or employment relations activities in 2025.

These posts appear designed to influence public opinion against the lawful industrial action being taken by public sector unions.

I request the following information:

Campaign Authorisation and Awareness:

1) All documents, briefings, emails, and communications relating to the decision to undertake social media and digital advertising campaigns regarding the 23 October 2025 strike action and any other industrial or employment relations activities in 2025, including who authorised them and when.

2) All documents showing which Ministers were informed about these campaigns, when they were informed, and any responses or direction provided.

3) All documents showing which Public Service Commission executives and senior managers were aware of or involved in approving these campaigns.

4) Any legal advice sought or received regarding the appropriateness of using public funds to advertise against lawful strike action or regarding other industrial or employment relations matters.

Financial Information:

5) The total budget allocated to social media and digital advertising campaigns regarding the 23 October 2025 strike action and any other industrial or employment relations activities in 2025, across all platforms.

6) The actual expenditure to date, broken down by:
◦ Each specific campaign or industrial/employment relations issue
◦ Platform (including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, other Meta platforms, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Google Display Network, Google Search ads, and any other social or internet advertising platforms)

7) All invoices, quotes, and payment records related to these campaigns across all platforms.

8) Details of any contracted agencies or consultants involved in these campaigns, including their fees.

Campaign Scope and Strategy:

9) All documents outlining the objectives, target audiences, and key messages of these campaigns across all platforms.

10) The planned duration of each campaign and geographic/demographic targeting parameters for each platform used.

11) All creative briefs, draft content, and approved final content for the advertisements across all platforms for all industrial or employment relations campaigns in 2025. Please include any screenshots or proofs that were released of any campaigns including dates publicly shown.

12) Any analytics, reach statistics, or performance reports for these advertisements across all platforms.

13) All communications with Meta/Facebook, Google, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and any other platform providers regarding the placement and management of these advertisements.

14) A complete list of all social media and internet platforms where paid advertising was placed regarding the 23 October 2025 strike action or any other industrial or employment relations activities in 2025.

15) A complete list of all industrial or employment relations matters for which PSC undertook paid social media or digital advertising in 2025, including dates and brief descriptions of each campaign.

Policy and Precedent:

16) Any policies or guidelines governing PSC's use of paid social media and digital advertising for industrial relations matters.

17) Details of any previous occasions (prior to 2025) where PSC has used paid social media or digital advertising regarding industrial action, strikes, or employment negotiations.

18) Any assessment of whether this activity is consistent with the principle of public service political neutrality.

If any information is withheld, please specify the grounds under the Official Information Act 1982 for each withholding.

As per the Act, I expect a response within 20 working days. If you require clarification of any aspect of this request, please contact me promptly.

Ngā mihi nui,

TD Price