Forestry Industry – External Influence Over Public Communications and Decision‑Making
Nigel Gray made this Official Information request to Ministry for Primary Industries
The request was partially successful.
From: Nigel Gray
Dear Ministry for Primary Industries,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information for the period 1 January 2021 – present.
1. Briefings and Key Messages
Copies of any briefings, talking points, or key‑message documents prepared for senior leadership or elected officials that relate to:
forestry slash events
erosion or sedimentation linked to forestry
public communications about forestry impacts
2. Communications Strategy and Perception Management
Copies of any communications plans or strategy documents that include reference to:
“stakeholder messaging”
“public perception”
“communications risks”
“industry engagement”
…where these terms relate to forestry or forestry‑related environmental impacts.
3. External Input Into Public Statements (Refined Clause)
Copies of any final versions of public statements (including press releases, website updates, advisories, or social media posts) relating to forestry that were reviewed, edited, or approved by any external party.
For each such document, please also provide:
a) the name of the external party involved b) the nature of their input (e.g., review, edits, approval) c) the date on which their input occurred
This request does not seek drafts, internal discussions, or emails — only the final published versions and the record of external input.
4. Meetings With Forestry‑Sector Representatives
A list of all meetings held since 1 January 2021 between your agency and:
forestry industry representatives
forestry lobby groups
PR or communications firms acting for forestry interests
the Forest Owners Association
Te Uru Rākau / NZ Forest Service
For each meeting, please provide:
date
attendees
subject or purpose of the meeting
I am not requesting minutes or detailed notes — only the meeting list.
5. Conflict‑of‑Interest Declarations
Copies of any conflict‑of‑interest declarations made by staff involved in:
forestry‑related policy
forestry compliance or enforcement
environmental monitoring relating to forestry
forestry‑related public communications
Format
Please provide all information in digital form. If any part of this request is refused, please provide the grounds for refusal and release all remaining material.
Yours faithfully,
Nigel Gray
From: Official Information Act
Ministry for Primary Industries
Tēnā koe Nigel,
Thank you for your official information request received on 22 February 2026.
Your request below will be considered, and a decision provided in accordance with the requirements of the Official Information Act 1982.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please email [email address].
Kā mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatū Ahu Matua
Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington 6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [email address] | Web: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
-----Original Message-----
From: Nigel Gray <[FOI #33798 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 22 February 2026 9:50 am
To: Official Information Act <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Forestry Industry – External Influence Over Public Communications and Decision Making
[You don't often get email from [FOI #33798 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear Ministry for Primary Industries,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information for the period 1 January 2021 – present.
1. Briefings and Key Messages
Copies of any briefings, talking points, or key‑message documents prepared for senior leadership or elected officials that relate to:
forestry slash events
erosion or sedimentation linked to forestry public communications about forestry impacts 2. Communications Strategy and Perception Management Copies of any communications plans or strategy documents that include reference to:
“stakeholder messaging”
“public perception”
“communications risks”
“industry engagement”
…where these terms relate to forestry or forestry‑related environmental impacts.
3. External Input Into Public Statements (Refined Clause) Copies of any final versions of public statements (including press releases, website updates, advisories, or social media posts) relating to forestry that were reviewed, edited, or approved by any external party.
For each such document, please also provide:
a) the name of the external party involved b) the nature of their input (e.g., review, edits, approval) c) the date on which their input occurred This request does not seek drafts, internal discussions, or emails — only the final published versions and the record of external input.
4. Meetings With Forestry‑Sector Representatives A list of all meetings held since 1 January 2021 between your agency and:
forestry industry representatives
forestry lobby groups
PR or communications firms acting for forestry interests the Forest Owners Association Te Uru Rākau / NZ Forest Service For each meeting, please provide:
date
attendees
subject or purpose of the meeting
I am not requesting minutes or detailed notes — only the meeting list.
5. Conflict‑of‑Interest Declarations
Copies of any conflict‑of‑interest declarations made by staff involved in:
forestry‑related policy
forestry compliance or enforcement
environmental monitoring relating to forestry forestry‑related public communications Format Please provide all information in digital form. If any part of this request is refused, please provide the grounds for refusal and release all remaining material.
Yours faithfully,
Nigel Gray
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________________________________
This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains may be classified and may be legally
privileged. Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please call the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and erase the
original message and attachments. Thank you.
The Ministry for Primary Industries accepts no responsibility for changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the office.
________________________________
hide quoted sections
From: Official Information Act
Ministry for Primary Industries
Tçnâ koe Nigel,
Thank you for your email of 23 February 2026 requesting information
relating to briefings and communications concerning forestry since January
2021. Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act
1982 (OIA).
Officials have advised your request as made is substantial due to the
period of time it covers. As your request stands, it is likely to be
declined under section 18(f) of the OIA - the information requested cannot
be made available without substantial collation or research.
We encourage you to consider refining your request and suggest that a
shorter time period would enable us to better scope and provide a response
to your request. A proposed timeframe of 12 months has been suggested as
manageable to respond to.
Please let us know by COB Friday 6 March if you agree to a refined time
period of 12 months (at the time your request was received). We encourage
you to consider whether there are further refinements you might want to
make to the scope of your request and to advise us if there are.
You are advised of your right to also raise any concerns with the Office
of the Ombudsman. Contact details are: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box
10152, Wellington 6143 or at [1][email address].
Kâ mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatû Ahu Matua
Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington
6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [2][email address] |
Web: [3]www.mpi.govt.nz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the
addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains may be classified and may be
legally
privileged. Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it
contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please call
the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and erase
the
original message and attachments. Thank you.
The Ministry for Primary Industries accepts no responsibility for changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the
office.
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References
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1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
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From: Nigel Gray
Dear Official Information Act,
Kia ora,
Thank you for your email. I am happy to refine the timeframe for items 1 and 2 only, as these may involve a larger volume of material.
Please refine sections 1 and 2 of my request to cover the period:
1 March 2023 – 22 February 2026.
For sections 3, 4, and 5, I do not agree that a refinement is necessary. These sections request:
only final versions of public statements that had external input (not drafts or correspondence)
a simple list of meetings with forestry‑sector representatives
conflict‑of‑interest declarations, which are discrete, already‑held documents
These items are narrow, specific, and do not require substantial collation or research.
Please proceed with the request on this basis.
Ngā mihi,
Nigel Gray
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Gray
From: Official Information Act
Ministry for Primary Industries
Tçnâ koe Nigel,
On behalf of Michelle Morehu, Director Government Services, please find
attached an update to your Official Information Act 1982 request.
Kâ mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatû Ahu Matua
Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington
6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [1][email address] |
Web: [2]www.mpi.govt.nz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the
addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains may be classified and may be
legally
privileged. Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it
contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please call
the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and erase
the
original message and attachments. Thank you.
The Ministry for Primary Industries accepts no responsibility for changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the
office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
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From: Nigel Gray
Dear Official Information Act,
Kia ora Michelle,
Thank you for your letter dated 5 March 2026 advising of the section 14 transfer.
I confirm that the timeframe 1 March 2023 – 22 February 2026 applies to sections 1 and 2 only, as per my refinement of 2 March 2026.
For clarity, the transferred portion relates to section 1 of my request, which I agreed to refine to that timeframe.
Sections 3, 4, and 5 remain unchanged and continue to apply to the period 1 January 2021 – present, as these items are narrow, discrete, and do not require substantial collation.
Please proceed on this basis.
Ngā mihi,
Nigel Gray
From: Official Information Act
Ministry for Primary Industries
Tçnâ koe Nigel,
On behalf of Olivia Sullivan, Director Forestry System, please find
attached a response to your Official Information Act 1982 request.
Kâ mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatû Ahu Matua
Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington
6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [1][email address] |
Web: [2]www.mpi.govt.nz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the
addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains may be classified and may be
legally
privileged. Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it
contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please call
the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and erase
the
original message and attachments. Thank you.
The Ministry for Primary Industries accepts no responsibility for changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the
office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
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From: Nigel Gray
Subject: Clarification of OIA Request OIA26‑0127
Dear Olivia,
Thank you for your response dated 19 March 2026.
To assist MPI in progressing this request, I wish to clarify the scope of the items declined under section 18(f). The following refinements are intended to ensure the request can be met without substantial collation or research.
Item 3 — External Input Into Public Statements
This item is already limited to:
final published versions only
only those documents that received external review, edits, or approval
only the record of external input (name, nature of input, date)
To further assist, please limit this search to:
documents produced by Te Uru Rākau / NZ Forest Service
documents published between 1 January 2023 – 22 February 2026
Item 4 — Meetings With Forestry‑Sector Representatives
To reduce scope, please limit this to:
meetings held by Te Uru Rākau / NZ Forest Service
between 1 January 2023 – 22 February 2026
I confirm that I am not seeking minutes, notes, or detailed records — only the meeting list (date, attendees, subject/purpose).
Item 5 — Conflict‑of‑Interest Declarations
Specifically, I request:
To address privacy considerations, I am happy for MPI to provide this information in anonymised form.
the number of declarations made
the general nature of the conflicts
the business units involved
the dates on which declarations were made
any mitigation steps recorded
No names or identifying details are required.
I trust these refinements will enable MPI to progress the request in a form that removes the reason for refusal under section 18(f) and section 9(2)(a). Please let me know if any further clarification would assist.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Gray
From: Official Information Act
Ministry for Primary Industries
Tēnā koe Nigel,
Thank you for your official information request received on 19 March 2026.
Your request below will be considered, and a decision provided in accordance with the requirements of the Official Information Act 1982.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please email [email address].
Kā mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatū Ahu Matua
Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington 6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [email address] | Web: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
-----Original Message-----
From: Nigel Gray <[FOI #33798 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 19 March 2026 9:36 pm
To: Official Information Act <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Response to your request, OIA26-0127
Subject: Clarification of OIA Request OIA26‑0127
Dear Olivia,
Thank you for your response dated 19 March 2026.
To assist MPI in progressing this request, I wish to clarify the scope of the items declined under section 18(f). The following refinements are intended to ensure the request can be met without substantial collation or research.
Item 3 — External Input Into Public Statements This item is already limited to:
final published versions only
only those documents that received external review, edits, or approval
only the record of external input (name, nature of input, date)
To further assist, please limit this search to:
documents produced by Te Uru Rākau / NZ Forest Service
documents published between 1 January 2023 – 22 February 2026
Item 4 — Meetings With Forestry‑Sector Representatives To reduce scope, please limit this to:
meetings held by Te Uru Rākau / NZ Forest Service
between 1 January 2023 – 22 February 2026
I confirm that I am not seeking minutes, notes, or detailed records — only the meeting list (date, attendees, subject/purpose).
Item 5 — Conflict‑of‑Interest Declarations Specifically, I request:
To address privacy considerations, I am happy for MPI to provide this information in anonymised form.
the number of declarations made
the general nature of the conflicts
the business units involved
the dates on which declarations were made
any mitigation steps recorded
No names or identifying details are required.
I trust these refinements will enable MPI to progress the request in a form that removes the reason for refusal under section 18(f) and section 9(2)(a). Please let me know if any further clarification would assist.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Gray
-----Original Message-----
Tçnâ koe Nigel,
On behalf of Olivia Sullivan, Director Forestry System, please find attached a response to your Official Information Act 1982 request.
Kâ mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatû Ahu Matua Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington
6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [1][email address] |
Web: [2]http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #33798 email]
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
________________________________
This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains may be classified and may be legally
privileged. Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please call the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and erase the
original message and attachments. Thank you.
The Ministry for Primary Industries accepts no responsibility for changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the office.
________________________________
hide quoted sections
From: Official Information Act
Ministry for Primary Industries
Kia ora Nigel,
Thank you for your request to reconsider part of your earlier request,
OIA26-0127. Your request has been considered under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA).
MPI has assessed part of your request as broad in nature. I refer to your
request for the following:
Item 4 — Meetings With Forestry‑-Sector Representatives
To reduce scope, please limit this to:
o meetings held by Te Uru Rākau / NZ Forest Service
o between 1 January 2023 – 22 February 2026
I confirm that I am not seeking minutes, notes, or detailed records — only
the meeting list (date, attendees, subject/purpose).
Te Uru Rākau staff at all levels hold many meetings across a broad range
of forestry-related topics. It is not possible to collate a list of all
meetings for the time period specified without substantial collation and
research. You may wish to refine your request to consider meetings on a
certain forestry topic, or to a certain team for the past twelve months.
We would be happy to work with you to identify the suitable area you may
be seeking information for.
Please advise us of refinement of your request by COB 10 April 2026.
Please note that if you do not refine your request in another form, your
existing request as interpreted by MPI is likely to result in a further
refusal of your request as it cannot be made available without substantial
collation or research and will have a significant and unreasonable impact
on the agency’s ability to carry out its other operations, therefore
refused under section 18(f)of the OIA .
Kā mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatū Ahu Matua
Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington
6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [1][email address] |
Web: [2]www.mpi.govt.nz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the
addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains may be classified and may be
legally
privileged. Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it
contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please call
the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and erase
the
original message and attachments. Thank you.
The Ministry for Primary Industries accepts no responsibility for changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the
office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
hide quoted sections
From: Official Information Act
Ministry for Primary Industries
Tçnâ koe Nigel,
Thank you for your email of 19 March 2026 requesting reconsideration of
your request, OIA26-0127. Your request has been considered under the
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
This email is to advise that the response to your request is still being
finalised for release. I can assure you we are working on this with
urgency and the response will be provided to you as soon as possible. I
apologise for any inconvenience this delay may cause you.
Should you have any concerns with this response, I would encourage you to
raise these with the Ministry for Primary Industries at
[1][email address]. Alternatively, you are advised of
your right to also raise any concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Contact details are: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington
6143 or at [2][email address].
Kâ mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatû Ahu Matua
Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington
6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [3][email address] |
Web: [4]www.mpi.govt.nz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the
addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains may be classified and may be
legally
privileged. Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it
contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please call
the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and erase
the
original message and attachments. Thank you.
The Ministry for Primary Industries accepts no responsibility for changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the
office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
hide quoted sections
From: Official Information Act
Ministry for Primary Industries
Tçnâ koe Nigel,
On behalf of Olivia Sullivan, Director Forestry System, please find
attached a response to your Official Information Act 1982 request.
Kâ mihi,
Official Information Act Team
Government Services | Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatû Ahu Matua
Charles Fergusson Building, 38-42 Bowen Street | PO Box 2526 | Wellington
6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 | Email: [1][email address] |
Web: [2]www.mpi.govt.nz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the
addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains may be classified and may be
legally
privileged. Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it
contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please call
the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and erase
the
original message and attachments. Thank you.
The Ministry for Primary Industries accepts no responsibility for changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the
office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
hide quoted sections
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