9 February 2026
DOIA25-110
Rowan Patrick
[FYI request #32932 email]
Tēnā koe Rowan
I refer to your request received on 19 November 2025, which has been considered
under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). You requested the following
information:
All MCH reports, correspondence, minutes, etc., relating to the discussion,
planning, and implementing of the NZ Wars national day of commemoration
(now officially He Ra Maumahara, Te Putake o Te Riri) since 2000.
On 26 November 2025 and 9 December 2025, you agreed to refine your request to:
Advice sent from Manatū Taonga to Te Puni Kokiri or the Minister at the time
relating to the discussion, planning, and implementing of the NZ Wars national
day of commemoration (now officially He Ra Maumahara, Te Putake o Te Riri)
since 2000. Specifically, earlier discussions around a possible day of
commemoration, prior to the Otorohanga school petition in 2015 and any
reference to NZ Wars in wider commemoration policy.
Te Puni Kokiri is responsible for the establishment and implementation and
administration of the contestable Te Pūtake o te Riri (New Zealand Wars and
Conflicts) fund. Iwi receive funding to host He Rā Maumahara and fund regional
events.
Manatū Taonga the Ministry for Culture and Heritage (Manatū Taonga) is
responsible for the Government commemorations programme, which marks
important historical events or anniversaries. However, Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā
Maumahara is not facilitated through this programme. You can find out more about
the
commemorations
programme
here:
https://www.mch.govt.nz/our-
work/memorials-and-commemorations/commemorations-and-anniversaries. Information being released
Manatū Taonga only holds a small amount of information relevant to your request.
We identified information in scope as emails sent from an @mch.govt.nz email
address to either a @tpk.govt.nz or @parliament.govt.nz email address since 1
January 2000, that included substantive advice about the planning and
implementation of Te Pūtake o Te Riri, He Rā Maumahara. Please find these
documents enclosed.
I have decided to release the relevant parts of the documents, subject to information
being withheld under section 9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of natural persons.
Some information has been deleted where it is not within the scope of your request.
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in
section 9(1) of the OIA. I do not consider that these considerations outweigh the
need to withhold the information.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available via
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Glenis Philip Barbara
Pou Mataaho o Te Hua - Deputy Secretary, Delivery & Investment
2
Document Outline
