UoA annual budget for "equity, diversity and inclusion"

Erika Whittome made this Official Information request to University of Auckland

Response to this request is long overdue. By law University of Auckland should have responded by now (details and exceptions). The requester can complain to the Ombudsman.

From: Erika Whittome

Dear University of Auckland,
Please share the budget allocation to "equity, diversity and inclusion" at the University of Auckland (
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/a...
) .

Please include figures for all of the "equity, diversity and inclusion" program budgets CapEx, OpEx, FTE /staff head count, any planned events etc.

Yours faithfully,

Erika Whittome

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From: Erika Whittome

Dear University of Auckland,

Would you please supply the requested information under the Act?

Yours faithfully,

Erika Whittome

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From: Erika Whittome

Dear University of Auckland,
I have lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman regarding this request for information.

Yours faithfully,

Erika Whittome

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From: Landon Watt
University of Auckland

Dear Eika,

 

I refer to your request of 14 December 2025. I apologise for the delay in
the University's response. The University's response follows:

 

"Please share the budget allocation to "equity, diversity and inclusion"
at the University of Auckland
([1]https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/a...)
.

Please include figures for all of the "equity, diversity and inclusion"
program budgets CapEx, OpEx, FTE /staff head count, any planned events
etc."

 

The University of Auckland does not have a specific budget for "equity,
diversity and inclusion" as this function is distributed across the
University. This is a partial refusal of your request under section 18(g)
of the OIA as we do not hold all of the information requested and we have
no grounds for believing that the information is either held by, or more
closely connected with the functions of, another department. The
information we do hold for your request relates to budget and staffing for
the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Equity (the "Equity Office"), which
provides strategic equity leadership and governance across the University
and advises the Vice-Chancellor and Council on fulfilling the University’s
commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in employment and
education. See our website at 
[2]https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/a...
more information about the Equity Office.

 

The Equity Office's 2026 budget is as follows:

People costs: $258,373
Operating expenses: $177,977
Total Budget: $436,350

 

As at 10 March 2026, the Equity Office employs 1.6 Full-Time Equivalent
Staff (2 people). The people costs listed above in the 2026 budget reflect
the salary costs for these 2 staff members and funding for subject matter
expertise procured through casual contracts and external contractors as
required.

 

You have the right to make a complaint to an Ombudsman if you are
dissatisfied with the University's response.

 

Kind regards,

Landon Watt
Legal Advisor
Office of the Vice-Chancellor

Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland 

 

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From: Erika Whittome <[3][FOI #33257 email]>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2025 8:25 AM
To: legal <[4][University of Auckland request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - UoA annual budget for "equity,
diversity and inclusion"

 

Dear University of Auckland,
Please share the budget allocation to "equity, diversity and inclusion" at
the University of Auckland (
[5]https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/a...
) .

Please include figures for all of the "equity, diversity and inclusion"
program budgets CapEx, OpEx, FTE /staff head count, any planned events
etc.

Yours faithfully,

Erika Whittome

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References

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2. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/a...
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4. mailto:[University of Auckland request email]
5. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/a...
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From: Erika Whittome

Dear Landon Watt,
Thank you for your response and some budget figures. When you say:
"The University of Auckland does not have a specific budget for "equity,
diversity and inclusion" as this function is distributed across the
University"

Would you please share the written policy document for equity, diversity and inclusion for this distributed function across the University?

Yours sincerely,

Erika Whittome

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Anyone:
University of Auckland only: