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DX SX10088 | Wellington
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F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
28 November 2025
John Luke
[FYI request #32745 email]
Our ref: OIA 127506
Tēnā koe John
Official Information Act request: Appointments to Minister’s Arms Advisory Group
I refer to your email of 5 November 2025 to the Minister of Justice, Hon Paul Goldsmith,
requesting information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), regarding
appointments to the Minister’s Arms Advisory Group.
On 6 November 2025, your request was transferred in full under section 14 of the Act by the
Minister to the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry), for response. Specifically, you requested:
I noted, you have made appointment to the Appointments to the Minister’s Arms
Advisory Group
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2025-go6313__;!!Asq5-
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BI66Qk3ablZrTK9OiCcfwXgR92GxWB51NBLXwc_LOsMpFvK_gcuz9yk$
1. May I ask how you called for public nomination and on what platform you have
call for public nominations e.g. govt.jobs website.
2. A copy of your ad and pay rate as well. 3. Also, how many applications you have received from the public and how many
you have received from other nominating agencies such as TPK or Ministry of
women etc for your role.
4. How many you have shortlisted and how many you have interviewed. 5. Also, can I request to view the appointment letter if there is one sent to the
appointee. I am happy for you to remove all the personal information.
In response to your request, I have listed your questions below and responded to them in the
order you have asked.
Question 1 - May I ask how you called for public nomination and on what platform you have
call for public nominations e.g. govt.jobs website.
The Minister did not call for public nominations for these appointments. However,
nominations were sought through the Minister’s Caucus colleagues.
Question 2 - A copy of your ad and pay rate as well.
As there were no public nominations, there was no advertisement. I am therefore refusing
this part of your request under section 18(e) of the Act, as the information requested does
not exist.
Please refer to the pay rate in the attached appointment letter, which is being provided to
you in response to question 5.
Question 3 - Also, how many applications you have received from the public and how many
you have received from other nominating agencies such as TPK or Ministry of women etc for
your role.
I can advise that no applications were received from the public or from nominating agencies.
Question 4 - How many you have shortlisted and how many you have interviewed.
Two individuals were shortlisted for the two roles, and neither were interviewed. Please note
that interviews are not required for the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee.
Question 5 - Also, can I request to view the appointment letter if there is one sent to the
appointee. I am happy for you to remove all the personal information. Please find the appointment letter attached. This letter was sent to both candidates.
Some information has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy
of natural persons. In withholding information under section 9 of the Act, I have considered
the public interest and do not consider that it outweighs withholding the information at this
time.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
Official Information Act responses | New Zealand Ministry of Justice. If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman under section 28 of the Act. The Office of the Ombudsman may be contacted
by phone on: 0800 802 602, by email at: [email address], or via the
webform:
Make a complaint (for members of the public) | Ombudsman New Zealand. Nāku noa, nā
Kathy Brightwell
General Manager, Civil and Constitutional Policy
