133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
30 March 2026
Erika Whittome
By email: [FYI request #33708 email]
Ref:
H2026079442
Tēnā koe Erika
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) which was
transferred from Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora to the Ministry of Health – Manatū
Hauora (the Ministry) on 1 March 2026 for information regarding Dundas Street Law. You
requested:
“The following documents listed below are from staff at DUNDAS STREET LAW and are
the properties from the Microsoft word documents. These documents were used as
template letters for unvaccinated DHB workers eg to stop them working from 15
November 2021, follow another exemption process, terminate employment and to rebut a
"Voices for Freedom":
Medical Exemption .docx
--------------------------------------------------
Authors Jack Rainbow
last saved by Jack Rainbow
Content created 28/10/2021 11:49am
Last printed 21/10/2021 1:56pm
Stand down letter template (1).docx
--------------------------------------------------
Authors Jack Rainbow
Last saved by Simon Hughes
Content created 10/11/2021 11:53am
Date last saved 10/11/2021 11:53am
Last printed 21/10/2021 1:56pm
Stand down letter template.docx
--------------------------------------------------
Authors Jack Rainbow
Last saved by Jack Rainbow
Content created 21/10/2021 10:22am
Date last saved 28/10/2021 10:48am
Last printed 21/10/2021 1:56pm
Total editing time 04:05:00
Termination Letter.docx
--------------------------------------------------
Authors Jack Rainbow
Last saved by Jack Rainbow
Content created 21/10/2021 10:22am
Date last saved 28/10/2021 10:48am
Last printed 22/10/2021 1:43pm
Total editing time 07:05:00
There is also an "Implementation process letter" containing steps for the DHBs to follow
for unvaccinated workers and their employment termination.
Template DHB Response to Voices for Freedom letters.docx
--------------------------------------------------
Authors Megan Vant
Last saved by DundasSt
Content created 20/10/2021 09:02am
Date last saved 20/10/2021 4:20am
Last printed 20/10/2021 12:22pm
Total editing time 03:11:00
Template DS Blank (with quick keys) 0616.dotx
Implementation Process Letter.docx
--------------------------------------------------
Authors Chloe Luscombe
Last saved by Rory Barton
Content created 28/10/2021 12:10pm
1. Would you please share the minutes of the decision to engage Dundas Street Law to
write all these letters/documents?
2. Would you please share the brief and work order request for these letters to be drafted?
3. Would you please share the cost to the DHB for Dundas Street Law to write all these
template letters?
Would you please include the following document created by Dundas St Law in circulation
at DHBs to be in scope of this information request? These are the MSWord document's
properties:
Covid Mandate FAQs - Final.docx
Authors Jack Rainbow
Last saved by Jack Rainbow
Content created 19/10/2021 5:23pm
Date last saved 21/10/2021 10:20am
Last printed 19/10/2021 11:44am”
The requested information is withheld in full under section 9(2)(h) of the Act, to maintain legal
professional privilege. I have considered the countervailing public interest in release in making
this decision and consider that it does not outweigh the need to withhold at this time.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel
free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].
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Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Phil Knipe
Chief Legal Advisor
Corporate Services | Te Pou Tiaki
Page 3 of 3
