Docusign Envelope ID: E283B5FE-1BF6-4341-B863-AF79D87D3C2B
New Zealand Institute
for Public Health and
Forensic Science
4 December 2025
By email:
[email address]
Dear Mike,
Official Information Request for Information Regarding Meth Contamination Reports for HUD
I refer to your official information request received by the New Zealand Institute for Public Health
and Forensic Science Limited (‘PHF Science’) dated Thursday 20 November 2025 for the following
information:
“ESR were commissioned by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to produce
the following reports:
• December 2020: Methamphetamine Contamination in Residential Environments: Analysis of
Evidence Related to Human Health Effects
• July 2022: Methamphetamine Contamination in Residential Environments: Limits for
Contamination
I request the following information relating to the preparation, peer review, consultation, and
development of these reports.
________________________________________
1. – Basis for Determining “Insufficient Information on Adverse Health Effects”
Page 21 of the 2022 report states:
“There is insufficient information on adverse health effects following third-hand exposure to
methamphetamine residues.”
1. Please provide all information held by ESR that informed or supported this conclusion,
including (but not limited to):
o scientific literature, reviews, or datasets
o internal ESR analysis, briefing notes, draft assessments, working papers
o internal emails or discussions by ESR scientists
o external consultation or correspondence with HUD, contractors, experts, or peer reviewers
o any caveats, limitations, or methodological notes relating to this conclusion.
________________________________________
2. – Correspondence Between ESR and HUD
2. Please provide all correspondence between ESR and HUD relating to the 2020 and 2022
methamphetamine reports, including:
o emails, letters, meeting invitations
o meeting notes, minutes, agendas, or summaries
o draft reports supplied to HUD and feedback received
o instructions, scope changes, or policy direction provided by HUD at any stage.
________________________________________
3. – Correspondence With Dr Jeff Fowles / Tox-Logic
3. Please provide all correspondence between ESR and Dr Jeff Fowles and ESR and Tox-Logic
regarding both the 2020 or 2022 reports.
New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science Limited
Kenepuru Science Centre: 34 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua 5022 | PO Box 50348, Porirua 5240, New Zealand
www.phfscience.nz T: +64 4 914 0700
Docusign Envelope ID: E283B5FE-1BF6-4341-B863-AF79D87D3C2B
This includes correspondence with any company, consultancy, or entity associated with Dr Fowles
(e.g., Tox-Logic Consulting).
Additionally, please provide:
o the details and amounts of any payments, contracts, subcontracts, or reimbursements made
to Dr Fowles or associated entities
o any conflict-of-interest declarations, procurement documents, or engagement justifications
held by ESR.
________________________________________
4. – Contributors and Advisory Input
4. Please provide the qualifications, CVs (or equivalent bios), and roles of all ESR staff,
contractors, external experts, and peer reviewers who contributed to, or provided advice during the
preparation of, the 2020 and 2022 reports.
This includes:
o internal scientific staff
o external subject-matter experts
o reviewers or contributors consulted by ESR
o any individuals whose input shaped the conclusions, thresholds, or health-risk
interpretations.
Where CVs cannot be released in full, please provide:
• highest qualification(s),
• relevant scientific discipline,
• position held at the time, and
• a summary of relevant expertise.
________________________________________”
We have transferred part of your request to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Part
of the information to which your request relates, namely— part 2 “Correspondence Between ESR
and HUD”, is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Development. In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the OIA to
transfer your request.
You will hear further from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development concerning that part of
your request.
Yours sincerely,
Wendy Chung
PHF Science Legal Coordinator
