Dear M.R.M,
I am writing to you regarding your request for information below.
This email is to advise you that the Ministry requires more time to respond to this request. In accordance with section 15(1) and 15A of the Official Information Act, the Ministry’s decision will be with you by 28 January 2026.
The reason for the extension is that consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.
Please note that over the holiday period, there are three weeks that are not classified as working days. In accordance with Section 2 of the Official Information Act 1982, this period is 25 December 2024 to 15 January 2025 (inclusive).
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 at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email]
I will respond to you sooner if I am able to.
Ngâ mihi,
Official Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministry of Social Development
Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whânau
-----Original Message-----
From: OIA_Requests (MSD)
Sent: Thursday, 20 November 2025 2:50 pm
To: '[FYI request #32937 email]' <[FYI request #32937 email]>
Subject: 20251120 Acknowledgement M.R.M.
Tçnâ koe M.R.M.
Thank you for your two emails received 20 November 2025, under the Official Information Act 1982. We have received an additional request transferred from Whaikaha on 20 November 2025. Your request has been forwarded
to the appropriate officials at National Office to respond.
The information you have requested may contain the names and contact details of our staff. Please let us know by 21 November 2025 whether you require these names and contact details. We will need to consult
our staff before deciding whether we can release this information, and this will take a bit more time. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that you do not require staff names and contact details.
Ngâ manaakitanga,
Official Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services Ministry of Social Development
Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to help themselves to be safe, strong and independent Ko ta mâtou he whakamana tangata kia tû haumaru, kia tû kaha, kia tû motuhake
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, 20 November 2025 12:31 pm
Subject: Official Information request - Disabled people unable to visit Work and Income Service Centres
Dear Ministry of Social Development,
Where a person (who is either not yet a client of the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre, or, is already a client of the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service
Centre) has submitted an application for a benefit by e-mail and also by post, and has been advised by the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre in response that they must attend an in person / face to face interview at a designated
Work and Income Service Centre, but, they are not able to do this because of serious and disabling health reasons, I am requesting that you provide me with;
1. A copy or copies of all of the relevant laws, regulations, directives, policies, procedures, etc. regarding how The Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre must deal with the disabled
person to assist them in getting their application properly and timeously processed, assessed and granted or declined.
2. A copy or copies of all of the relevant laws, regulations, directives, policies, procedures, etc. that empower and/or authorise and/or otherwise permit the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income
Service Centre to ignore a person who has requested in writing that they be allowed to have a telephone conversation or Zoom conference call instead of attending an in person / face to face interview because of serious and disabling health reasons..
3. A copy or copies of all of the relevant laws, regulations, directives, policies, procedures, etc. that empower and/or authorise and/or otherwise permit the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income
Service Centre to ignore a person who has submitted a G.P.'s Medical Certificate that confirms they are "very unwell", "not able to have any appointment with" a medical professional, and, who says "I am writing this letter to request (xxx) appointment with
Work and Income NZ be done as a phone call ...".
4. A copy or copies of all of the relevant laws, regulations, directives, policies, procedures, etc. that empower and/or authorise and/or otherwise permit the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income
Service Centre to decide that an application has "lapsed".
Yours faithfully,
M.R.M.
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