Declarable Organisations and Freemasonry
AC made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police
This request has an unknown status. We're waiting for AC to read recent responses and update the status.
From: AC
Dear Sir or Madam,
This request is made pursuant to the Official Information Act.
Following the recent decision by the Metropolitan Police Service in the United Kingdom to designate membership of the Freemasons as a declarable organisation for police officers and staff, I seek information as to the position adopted by the New Zealand Police in relation to this matter.
Specifically, I request the following information:
1. Whether the New Zealand Police currently require, or have ever required, sworn officers or Police employees to declare membership of the Freemasons or any Masonic body.
2. Whether membership of the Freemasons is restricted, discouraged, or prohibited for any categories of Police roles, including but not limited to investigative, intelligence, professional standards, or senior leadership positions.
3. Whether the New Zealand Police hold any aggregated or anonymised data relating to the number of Police personnel who have declared membership of the Freemasons, and if so, that data.
4. Whether Freemasonry has been referenced in any internal reviews, integrity investigations, or complaint assessments, other than in an incidental or purely personal capacity.
5. Whether the New Zealand Police consider membership of the Freemasons to constitute a conflict of interest, perceived conflict of interest, or integrity risk, either generally or in specific operational or leadership contexts.
6. Any internal policies, guidance documents, directives, circulars, or integrity frameworks, current or historic, that refer to Freemasonry or Masonic organisations, whether expressly or by category, for example fraternal organisations.
7. Whether the New Zealand Police have undertaken any review, assessment, or consideration, formal or informal, of the Metropolitan Police Service’s decision, or of comparable overseas policing approaches, in relation to Freemasonry.
8. Whether the New Zealand Police have any intention to review, amend, or introduce disclosure requirements relating to Freemasonry as a result of overseas developments.
If any of the requested information is withheld in full or in part, I request that the grounds for refusal be clearly identified in accordance with the Act.
I am happy to receive the response electronically. If clarification or refinement of this request would assist, please contact me.
Yours faithfully,
AC
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Kia ora
Police Ministerial Services are now on leave, with staff returning to the
office on 12 January 2026.
If it is an emergency please call 111. Otherwise we will respond on our
return.
Have a relaxing and safe Christmas break.
Mā te wā
Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
===============================================================
WARNING
The information contained in this email message is intended for the
addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be
subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which
creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you
are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this
message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this
message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this
message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If
you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the
sender immediately
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe
I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request below.
Your reference number is IR-01-26-1068.
You can expect a response to your request on or before 13 February 2026 unless an extension is needed.
Ngā mihi, Michelle
Advisor - Police National Headquarters
show quoted sections
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Kia ora
I refer to your request below. I have been asked to advise you that Police requires an extension of time in which to respond to your request, pursuant to section 15A(1) of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Specifically, section 15A(1)(b), consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.
Police requires until 6 March 2026 to provide a substantive response to your request, however we are endeavouring to provide this to you as soon as possible.
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about this extension. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Kind regards, Michelle
Advisor – Police National Headquarters
show quoted sections
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe AC
Please find attached the response relating to your Official Information
Act request, received by Police on 7 January 2026.
Ngā mihi
Lisa
Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
===============================================================
WARNING
The information contained in this email message is intended for the
addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be
subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which
creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you
are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this
message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this
message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this
message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If
you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the
sender immediately
Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence (note: this contains the same information already available above).
Offensive? Unsuitable?
Requests for personal information and vexatious requests are not considered valid requests for Official Information (read more).
If you believe this request is not suitable, you can report it for attention by the site administrators
Report this request