Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/33886-oia-request-behavioural-risk-guidance-and-roadside-drug-testing on May 28, 2026 13:06

OIA Request – Behavioural‑Risk Guidance and Roadside Drug Testing

Nigel Gray made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police

The request was successful.

From: Nigel Gray

Dear New Zealand Police,
I am requesting the following information regarding Police guidance, policies, or internal instructions relating to “sovereign citizens”, “non‑compliant behaviour”, “ideologically‑motivated behaviour”, or any similar behavioural‑risk classifications used during roadside interactions:

1. Document creation and circulation

The date each relevant policy, guideline, training note, or operational instruction was drafted.

The date each was approved.

The date each was first circulated to staff.

Any subsequent re‑circulation, updates, or amendments since 1 January 2023.

2. Context for updates or circulation

All internal correspondence, emails, memos, or briefing notes that discuss the need to create, update, or re‑circulate this guidance.

Any references within that correspondence to roadside drug testing, oral‑fluid testing, biological sampling, or public concern about these processes.

Any references to public posts, public commentary, or social‑media discussions relating to roadside drug testing or Police handling of rights‑assertive behaviour.

3. Application to roadside drug testing

Any risk assessments, operational analyses, or internal discussions that link behavioural‑risk classifications to the rollout of oral‑fluid testing.

Any instructions given to frontline staff on how to interpret questioning, rights‑assertive behaviour, or safety concerns during oral‑fluid testing.

4. Monitoring of public concern

Any internal reports, summaries, or monitoring notes that refer to public concern, public commentary, or social‑media discussion about the safety, legality, or operational conduct of roadside drug testing since 1 January 2023.

I am requesting these items in order to understand the timeline, operational context, and decision‑making processes behind the development and circulation of this guidance.

I am happy to receive the information electronically.

Kind regards,
Nigel Gray

Yours faithfully,

Nigel Gray

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Tēnā koe Nigel

I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request below.

Your reference number is IR-01-26-7325.

You can expect a response to your request on or before 27 March 2026 unless an extension is needed.

Ngā mihi, Michelle
Advisor - Police National Headquarters

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Kia ora Nigel,

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 14 April 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.

Ngā mihi,
Emma (she/her)
Advisor - Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Attachment OIA Response letter IR 01 26 7325.pdf
404K Download View as HTML

Attachment 6 55.6 Proposed new PI on SOVCITs.pdf
241K Download View as HTML

Attachment P nui New Policy Sovereign Citizens Ten One New Zealand Police Intranet.pdf
37K Download View as HTML

Tēnā koe Nigel

 

Please find attached the response and documentation relating to your
Official Information Act request, received by Police on 27 February 2026.

 

Ngā mihi

Lisa

Ministerial Services

Police National Headquarters

 

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