Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/33381-any-suppression-orders-on-government-s-covid-19-response on December 29, 2025 05:08

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Any Suppression orders on government's covid-19 response

Erika Whittome made this Official Information request to Paul Goldsmith

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From: Erika Whittome

Dear Paul Goldsmith,
I refer to the interview of Chris Hipkins, Labour Leader on why they're not fronting for the Covid-19 Inquiry on 14 Aug 2025 741am on Newstalk ZB, Mike Hosking Breakfast:

Hosking: There are parts of the advice that I cant comment on.

Hosking: Who's paying for Dentons?
...
Hipkins: The public

Hosking: So why can't you comment?

Hipkins: Well because then I would be before a Court.

Hoskin: Why?

Hipkins: Because when the Court's issued a suppression order that says you can't talk about something, you cant talk about it.

Hosking: So who's issued the suppression order?
Do you have an agreement with Dentons that you don't talk publicly about what they tell you?

Hipkins: There are issues relating to the safety of individuals around the covid-19 response and public commentary on it that the courts have indicated I cannot comment on or anyone including you cannot comment on, including you cannot comment on...

With reference to the above, as Minister of Justice, would you please share the information on
1. the proceedings, or suppression order, or proceedings that have resulted in a procession order?
2. Please the Court name eg district court, high court, the filing number, all the parties, and date of the filing and judgement/decision?

I am also lodging the same request with Mr Hipkins.

Yours faithfully,

Erika Whittome

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From: Paul Goldsmith (MIN)
Paul Goldsmith

Please note that this acknowledgement is an automatically generated email.

Kia ora,

Thank you for contacting Hon Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Justice, Minister
for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Minister for Media and Communications and
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.

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Ngâ mihi,

Office of Hon Paul Goldsmith
Minister of Justice| Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage | Minister
for Media and Communications | Minister for Treaty of Waitangi
Negotiations

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