Dear Jay

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your OIA request below.

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than 20 working days after the day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

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Our letter notifying you of our decision on your request will confirm if we intend to publish the letter (with your personal details removed) and any related documents on the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission’s website.

Kind regards

Enquiries Team
îmçra: [email address]
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
http://www.publicservice.govt.nz/ | http://www.govt.nz/

-----Original Message-----
From: Jay Rogers <[FOI #32644 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 23 October 2025 2:48 pm
To: Enquiries <[PSC request email]>
Subject: OIA 2025-0137-Official Information request - Advertising campaign targeting public sector strikes

COMMISSION

This email was sent from someone outside of Te Kawa Mataaho. Please take extra care.

Tçnâ koutou,

I am making this request under the Official Information Act 1982.

I am deeply concerned by reports that the Public Service Commission (PSC) authorised and funded a public advertising campaign against industrial strike action — particularly one that appeared to use taxpayer money to publicly “clap back” at public servants. Such activity raises serious questions about the politicisation of the Commission, the misuse of public funds, and breaches of the PSC’s obligation to remain politically neutral and act in the collective interests of the public service.

Accordingly, I request the release of the following information relating to this campaign:
1. Budget and Expenditure
• The total cost of the campaign, including but not limited too any payments to external agencies, media platforms, or contractors.
• A full breakdown by channel (Facebook, Google, radio, print, etc.) and supplier.
• Copies of any invoices, purchase orders, or internal financial approvals related to this campaign.
2. Internal Resources and Staffing
• The number of staff involved in developing, approving, and managing the campaign (both FTEs and individuals).
• An estimate of the total staff time and cost spent on this work.
• Any role descriptions or delegation documents showing which officials had the authority to commission and approve the campaign.
3. Decision-Making and Oversight
• All internal communications (emails, Teams/Slack messages, meeting minutes, and notes) discussing the purpose, framing, tone, or messaging of the campaign.
• All documents identifying who initiated the campaign, who approved it, and any sign-offs from senior leaders or Commissioners.
• Any correspondence between the PSC and Ministerial offices and MPs or other agencies about the campaign.
• Any risk assessments, communications strategies, or briefing notes that discuss reputational, ethical, or political risks — particularly those referring to perceptions of bias, misuse of taxpayer funds, or damage to the Commission’s neutrality.
4. Evaluation and Aftermath
• Any evaluation reports, internal reviews, or debriefs on the campaign’s effectiveness, public response, or criticism received. Including correspondence sent to ministerial offices regarding these campaign after it went live.

This request seeks to understand how and why the Commission — an agency expected to model neutrality and uphold trust in the public service — chose to deploy public resources on a campaign that appears to undermine the lawful actions and rights of public sector workers.

Please provide this information in electronic form. If any information is withheld, please specify the precise grounds for refusal under the relevant section(s) of the OIA.

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #32644 email]

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https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

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