16 December 2025
Ref: OIA-2025/26-0373
Elspeth Baker-Vevers
[FYI request #33055 email]
Tēnā koe Elspeth,
Official Information Act request relating to ADHD cross-agency governance or
strategy
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request, which was received by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) on 29 November 2025. You
requested:
“This request is confined to information held by DPMC; please do not transfer for
commentary.
Timeframe: This request covers the period 1 January 2015 to the date this request is
received.
Format: Where datasets, tables, or modelling outputs are provided, I request they be
supplied in machine readable format (CSV or original spreadsheet file) along with any
data dictionaries or field definitions. A machine-readable format is requested to
minimise collation and preserve original structure.
Scope clarification to reduce unnecessary work: To streamline this request, I am not
seeking internal email chains, drafts, or personal information about individuals unless
they are the only holders of the substantive information described. If any part of this
request is likely to be refused under section 18(f) due to substantial collation, please
identify that specific part early so I can refine it.
Please provide:
1. Any documentation, advice, or briefings since 2015 regarding cross-agency
coordination, governance, or strategy for ADHD.
2. Please provide any Cabinet papers, Cabinet Office Circulars, regulatory impact
statements, or ministerial briefings in which ADHD is identified as a risk, inequity, or
priority since 2015.
3. Any references to ADHD in Cabinet papers or inter-departmental committees
relating to mental health, neurodiversity, or disability policy.
4. Any acknowledgement of systemic gaps or equity issues for ADHD within inter-
agency work.
5. If no such information is held, please confirm and state whether ADHD has ever
been considered under other national strategies (e.g., Autism Guideline or Mental
Health and Addiction Strategy).
6. Please provide any documents, advice, or correspondence since 2015 in which your
agency discussed or commented on the potential benefit or need for a coordinated,
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cross-sector national ADHD strategy. (This refers to a coordinated, cross-sector ADHD
strategy across government systems, distinct from the Ministry of Health’s clinical
framework.)
7. Please provide any cross-agency evaluation, performance, or accountability
frameworks that include ADHD outcomes or measures. If none exist, please confirm
this.
8. Please confirm whether any ministry has been assigned formal oversight
responsibility for ADHD policy, coordination, or strategy across government. If no such
assignment exists, please confirm this.”
On 12 December 2025 your request was transferred in part to the Ministry of Health as the
lead agency for this work. This response relates to any information held by DPMC that is
relevant to your request.
I can advise that DPMC has carried out a search of its electronic databases for information
relevant to part one, the parts of part two for
Cabinet papers, regulatory impact statements,
and ministerial briefings in which ADHD is identified as a risk, inequity, or priority since 2015,
and parts three to eight of your request. We specifically searched for records that reference
ADHD. Having assessed the extent of work required to collate the information you have
requested, I have decided to refuse your request under section 18(f) of the Act. I have
considered whether extending or charging would alleviate the reason for the refusal.
However, I have determined the manual work required to collate the information would impair
efficient administration, such that neither extending nor charging would alleviate the reason
for refusal.
I anticipate that the Ministry of Health will be well-placed to provide the information you have
requested. However, please get in touch with DPMC if you have more specific keywords or
terminology you would like DPMC to search for.
As Cabinet Office circulars are publicly available on the DPMC website I am refusing the part
of part two of your request for
Cabinet Office Circulars in which ADHD is identified as a risk,
inequity, or priority since 2015 under section 18(d) of the Act, as the information requested is
publicly available. Cabinet Office circulars are publicly available on the following page:
https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications?field_cassbase_resource_category_tid=805
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
We do not intend to publish this response on the DPMC website.
Nāku noa, nā
Jenna Hansen
Manager, Accountability and Ministerial Services
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