OIA 1354239, refused under s 18(e), stating: “No briefings, aides-memoire or advice from the Ministry were provided to Ministers” regarding the procurement/engagement of Janison for the SMART tool.
Phillip Fry made this Official Information request to Ministry of Education
Currently waiting for a response from Ministry of Education, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).
From: Phillip Fry
Dear Ministry of Education,
I refer to OIA 1354239, refused under s 18(e), stating: “No briefings, aides-memoire or advice from the Ministry were provided to Ministers” regarding the procurement/engagement of Janison for the SMART tool.
In light of public statements by Janison that work commenced via a bridging contract in July 2025, please provide:
Confirmation of the exact interpretation the Ministry applied to the terms “briefings”, “aide memoires”, and “advice” for the purpose of OIA 1354239 (e.g., whether it excluded emails, oral briefings, ministerial office notes, briefings to associate ministers, or briefings through delegated channels).
A description of the searches undertaken to support the s 18(e) refusal, including:
which business groups/teams were asked to search;
which record systems were searched (e.g., email, SharePoint, TRIM/EDRMS, ministerial correspondence systems);
the date ranges searched; and
the search terms used.
Copies of any records held by the Ministry that reference briefing or advising Ministers (or Ministers’ offices) about:
the July 2025 bridging/interim contract (or early works/mobilisation arrangement) with Janison; and/or
the decision to proceed with Janison as preferred supplier for SMART.
If any part of this request is refused on substantial collation grounds, please provide a schedule/index of documents in scope (title, date, author, brief description) so I can refine.
Yours faithfully,
Phillip Fry
From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
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From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
[IN-CONFIDENCE - RELEASE EXTERNAL]
Kia ora Phillip,
Thank you for the information request below. The Ministry will consider
and respond to your request in accordance with the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act).
Under section 15(1) of the Act, we are required to make and inform you of
our decision on your request as soon as reasonably practicable and in any
case not later than 20 working days after the day on which your request is
received. You can therefore expect to receive our decision on your
request on or before 11 February 2026. If more than 20 working days are
needed due to the potential workload and/or consultations involved in
answering your request, we will notify you accordingly.
Please note, the days between 25 December – 15 January (inclusive) are not
considered to be “working days” for the purposes of calculating the 20
working day timeframe for providing a response under the Act.
In the interim, if you have any questions about your request, please email
[1][email address].
Ngâ mihi,
Enquiries National Team | Te Tâhuhu o te Mâtauranga | Ministry of
Education | JH
[2]education.govt.nz
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent
outcomes
He mea târai e mâtou te mâtauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai
ôna huanga
[3]Te TD huhu o te MD tauranga
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