30 January 2026
Ref: DOIA-REQ-0026452
Erika Whittome
Email: [FYI request #33581 email] 
Tēnā koe Erika
Thank you for your email via the FYI website of 22 January 2026 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and 
Employment (MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
This is an information request to the employment relations authority. The era comes under MBIE
Please share all information you hold either at the ERA or that has been sent to you in briefs, emails, 
correspondence, memos, briefings, ministerial briefings, meeting minutes etc that cover mitigating the 
risk of bias at the ERA regarding vaccination and employment given MBIE had a central role in 
promoting the government Covid 19 response and Covid 19 vaccination policies for workplaces.
I refer you to what employer court Judge Corkill said in 2022 “VMR v Aviation Security Service Division 
of Civil Aviation…”( [2022] NZEmpC 127)
“ [76] Given that conclusion, it is not strictly necessary to consider the contention that there would be a 
perception of bias were the Authority to hear the case, since MBIE, which administers and operates the 
Authority, also had a central role in developing and promoting the Government's COVID-19 response, 
including its vaccination policy.”
This information request is for anything from 1 Jan 2022 until the present day
I assume any bias would have been considered so that there is trust in the ERA in employment 
relationship problems regarding objections to Covid 19 vaccinations.
On direction of the Chief of the Employment Relations Authority (the Authority), MBIE must refuse your 
request under section 222 of the Employment Relations Act 2000. Nothing in the Official Information Act 1982 
applies to any information held by the department or the Authority or the court in relation to any proceedings 
brought before the Authority or the court.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance, 
please contact [email address].
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about 
how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Daniel de Villiers
Director Regulatory and Advisory Services
Employment Services

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