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20/01/2026
Ross Stewart
[FYI request #32955 email]
Tēnā koe Ross
OIA: GEMS-46075 – Request for Clarification on Records and Compensation
Thank you for your email of 21 November 2025 to the Minister of Education, which was transferred
to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) on 1 December 2025 requesting the following
information:
I am writing to request clarification regarding a significant contradiction in my case involving
Mt Wellington Residential School and the Department of Education. Previously, when I
sought information, I was told that no reports or records exist from either Mt Wellington
Residential School or the Department of Education. However, after providing my testimony
to an independent investigator hired by the Department, I was informed that my evidence
had been accepted. Following this, I was granted both compensation and a government
apology.
Concerns About the Process
The decision to award compensation and issue an apology suggests that some form of
conclusive evidence must have been presented or considered. It is not credible to suggest
that such significant redress would be granted solely based on my testimony. Typically,
such actions imply that there were supporting materials—such as observations, notes, or
records from Auckland Education Field Officers, or other documentation indicating
suspicions or evidence of improprieties against pupils.
Request for Clarity
Therefore, I respectfully ask for a clear explanation regarding the basis on which the
compensation and apology were granted. Specifically, I seek answers to the following:
•
What records, reports, or observations were relied upon in awarding compensation
and apology?
•
If, as previously stated, no records exist, how was harm acknowledged and redress
determined?
•
I request a clear and direct response by . Silence, dismissal, or denial will not be
considered an adequate response.
Importance of Transparency and Accountability
This matter extends beyond my personal case. Survivors across New Zealand deserve
transparency and accountability from the government. The response to this request must
Wellington National Office, 1 The Terrace, Levels 5 to 14, Wellington 6011
PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140, DX SR51201 Phone: +64 4 463 8000
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honour all testimony and ensure that no survivor is treated as if their experiences or truths
can be erased.
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
The Ministry needs to extend the timeframe for responding to your request, pursuant to section
15A(1)(a) of the Act, as the request necessitates a search through a large quantity of information,
and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere
with the operations of the Ministry.
You can now expect to receive a response to your request on or before 18 February 2026, which is
an extension of 20 working days.
As the information being prepared for release relates to the decision-making process for your
claim, this includes your personal information. As a result, releasing this information through the
FYI website is not appropriate as your personal information would be made public. Can you please
email a private email address to
[email address] so that we can provide this
information to you directly.
You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to investigate our decision to extend the timeframe for
responding to this request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to
[email address] or Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā
Lucy Jordan
Senior Advisor, Official and Parliamentary Information
Government, Executive and Ministerial Services
OIA: GEMS-46075
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