Template letters to stand down and terminate workers, and rebut VFF letters

Erika Whittome made this Official Information request to Health New Zealand

Response to this request is delayed. By law, Health New Zealand should normally have responded promptly and by (details and exceptions)

From: Erika Whittome

Dear Health New Zealand,

A response to an official information act request revealed there 357 nurses, 26 doctors and 64 midwives who left as a result of the New Zealand government’s vaccination order up to March 2022 . https://fyi.org.nz/request/18233/respons...

Many more were terminated after requirements for boosters in March 2022.

The following Microsoft word documents were used as template letters for unvaccinated DHB workers eg to stop them working from 15 November 2021 and terminate their employment:

Medical Exemption .docx
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Authors Jack Rainbow
last saved by Jack Rainbow
Content created 28/10/2021 11:49am
Last printed 21/10/2021 1:56pm

Stand down letter template (1).docx
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Authors Jack Rainbow
Last saved by Simon Hughes
Content created 10/11/2021 11:53am
Date last saved 10/11/2021 11:53am
Last printed 21/10/2021 1:56pm

Stand down letter template.docx
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Authors Jack Rainbow
Last saved by Jack Rainbow
Content created 21/10/2021 10:22am
Date last saved 28/10/2021 10:48am
Last printed 21/10/2021 1:56pm
Total editing time 04:05:00

Vaccination Mandate - Follow-up meeting Nov 2021.docx
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Authors Bernie McKeany
Last saved by Simon Hughes
Company Waikato DHB
Content created 9/11/2021 5:20pm

Termination Letter.docx
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Authors Jack Rainbow
Last saved by Jack Rainbow
Content created 21/10/2021 10:22am
Date last saved 28/10/2021 10:48am
Last printed 22/10/2021 1:43pm
Total editing time 07:05:00

There is also an "Implementation process letter" containing steps for the DHBs to follow for unvaccinated workers and their employment termination.

Implementation Process Letter.docx
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Authors Chloe Luscombe
Last saved by Rory Barton
Content created 28/10/2021 12:10pm

1. Would you please share the minutes of the decision to engage Dundas Street Law and other law firms to write all these letters/documents?
2. Would you please share the brief / work order request for these letters to be drafted?
3. Would you please share the cost to the DHB to these law firms to write all these letters which stood down health workers on 15 November 2021 and then terminate unvaccinated health workers?
4. Would you please share the cost to the DHB to these law firms to write the letters to rebut these two Voices for Freedom letter sent by unvaccinated health workers?

Template DHB Response to Voices for Freedom letters.docx
--------------------------------------------------
Authors Megan Vant
Last saved by DundasSt
Content created 20/10/2021 09:02am
Date last saved 20/10/2021 4:20am
Last printed 20/10/2021 12:22pm
Total editing time 03:11:00
Template DS Blank (with quick keys) 0616.dotx

Voices for Freedom Letter - Vaccination mandated.docx
--------------------------------------------------
Authors Mary Byrne
Last saved by Leighton
Content created 9/10/2021 6:03pm

Yours faithfully,

Erika Whittome

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From: hnzOIA

Tçnâ koe, Erika

 

Thank you for your email. 

 

Under the Official Information Act (OIA), agencies are required to respond
to requests for official information as soon as reasonably practicable and
no later than 20 working days after receiving them.

 

Please note that the period from 25 December 2025 to 15 January 2026
(inclusive) is not counted as working days under the OIA. As a result, any
OIA requests received on or after 29 November 2025 may take longer to
process than usual, as the maximum response timeframe may extend into the
new year.

If your request is for data that Health NZ holds, have you checked
[1]Lighthouse first to see if the data you are seeking is already
published?

 

Lighthouse is a searchable catalogue that makes a range of data and
analytics products available to New Zealanders to enable easier, faster
access to insights about health services.

 

You can find further information about how OIA timeframes are calculated,
including the Ombudsman’s OIA calculator, at the link below:
[2]Official information calculators | Ombudsman New Zealand

 

We will provide a response to your request in line with the statutory
timeframes set out in the OIA.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

 

Ngâ mihi,
Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora

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1. https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-healt...
2. https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/agen...

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From: hnzOIA


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Attachment HNZ00106062 Response.pdf
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Kia ora Erika, 
 
Thank you for your request for information regarding Template letters to
stand down and terminate workers, and rebut VFF letters on 14 December
/2025. Please find attached our response to your request.
 
If you have any questions, please get in touch at
[1][email address]
 
If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a
complaint to the Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available
at [2]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.
 
Ngâ mihi, 
 
Government Services (OIA)
[3][email address]
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
 

 

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From: Erika Whittome

Dear hnzOIA,

In my request for Information, the companies are named. They are Dundas Street Law and a DHB. Your response denying my request says it's too much effort to locate the companies, however the company names are already there.
Please provide the requested information under the ACT.

Yours sincerely,

Erika Whittome

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