Dear Ministry of Defence,

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982 regarding the loss of the HMNZS Manawanui in October 2024 and the subsequent Ministerial communications strategy.
Specifically, I request the following:
Ministerial Advice on Public Messaging: Copies of all advice, briefings, and communications (including emails, text messages, and internal memos) provided to the Minister of Defence between October 5, 2024, and October 25, 2024, regarding the public messaging strategy following the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui.
Gender and Identity Narratives: Any specific advice or communications discussing the framing of public responses around the Captain’s gender, or the use of terms such as "misogynistic narrative" or "vile" to characterize public or media questioning of the vessel’s command and operational failure.
Training and Operational Readiness: Copies of any briefings provided to the Minister in the six months prior to the incident regarding the "hollowness" of the Navy, specifically relating to crew training levels, sea-time experience, and the operational risks of the HMNZS Manawanui.
Selection and Appointment Process: Any internal communications discussing the "merit-based" vs "optics-based" appointment of leadership roles on the HMNZS Manawanui, and whether external political or social objectives influenced these appointments.
I am a New Zealand citizen/resident and make this request to ensure transparency regarding the management of national assets and the accountability of the Ministerial executive.
I request that this information be provided in an electronic and searchable format. If any part of this request is refused, please provide the specific reason for refusal as required by the Act.

Yours faithfully,
Kerry Parkin