Dear New Zealand Transport Agency,

This is a request for official information under the Official Information Act 1982.

I am requesting documents that relate to the development and creation of the Cabinet paper(s) concerning the approval and implementation of the New Zealand Digital Driver's Licence (DDL).

For clarity, I am seeking the documents that informed the final paper, not just the final paper itself.

Drafts of the Cabinet Paper:

Please provide all substantive drafts of the Cabinet paper(s).

Advice and Briefings:

Please provide copies of all advice, briefing notes, Aide-Mémoires, and reports provided to the responsible Minister(s) by the Ministry regarding the DDL policy.

This should include, but not be limited to:

- Advice on policy options and recommendations.
- Advice on the privacy, security, and human rights implications.
- Advice regarding international interoperability and the adoption of standards like ISO/IEC 18013-5.

Inter-Agency Consultation:

Please provide copies of all formal correspondence, meeting minutes, and summary notes of consultations between the Ministry and other government agencies regarding the DDL policy. This includes consultations with:

- The Ministry of Justice
- The Department of Internal Affairs
- The Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO)
- The Office of the Privacy Commissioner
- New Zealand Police
- Security and Intelligence Agencies (e.g., GCSB, SIS)

External Consultation:

Please provide a list of all external, non-governmental organisations, companies, or industry bodies that were formally consulted during the development of the policy. Please also provide copies of any formal written submissions received from these external parties.

Addressing the Public Interest

I anticipate that you may consider withholding some of this information under section 9 of the OIA, particularly section 9(2)(f)(iv) (free and frank opinion).

I submit that the public interest in releasing this information is exceptionally high and outweighs the need to withhold it. The creation of a national digital identity credential is a foundational decision with profound, long-term consequences for every New Zealander's privacy and interaction with the state. Understanding the options considered, the risks identified, and the advice given by officials is essential for public trust and democratic accountability. Releasing this information enables meaningful public debate on a matter of significant national importance.

Therefore, I request that you give full consideration to the public interest test and release these documents. If specific sections are deemed highly sensitive, I request that the remainder of the documents be released with only those sections redacted.

Yours faithfully,

Charlie Drummond