22 April 2026
Tēnā koe T Hayden
Official Information Act request
Thank you for your emails of 1 and 3 March 2026 requesting information about
the number of communications staff employed by the Ministry of Social
Development (the Ministry).
I have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Please find my decision on each part of your request
1. I would like to request the number of staff in public relations or
communications roles at the Ministry of Social Development for 2026, 2025,
2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
2. I would also like to request the number of contractors in public relations or
communications roles at the Ministry of Social Development for 2026, 2025,
2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
This information for the number of staff and contractors in public relations or
communications roles at the Ministry 2020/21 to 2024/25 can be found on pages
21 to 22 of the document titled ‘SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
Responses to Supplementary Estimates Questions 1 – 264 2025/26 Estimates
Examination Vote Social Development’.
The document is published on the New Zealand Parliament website at:
https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/submissions-and-advice/document/
54SCSSC_EVI_133cfa99-f011-4cf7-cdcd-08dd9cbad1c0_SSC20954/minister-for-
social-development-and-employment-responses
3. I would like to request the number of staff in public relations or
communications roles at the Ministry of Social Development for 2026.
4. I would also like to request the number of contractors in public relations or
communications roles at the Ministry of Social Development for 2026.
Your request for this information is refused under section 18(d) of the Act on the
basis that the information requested will soon be publicly available.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email].
The Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, PO Box 1556, Wellington
– Telephone 04-916 3300 – Facsimile 04-918 0099
If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right to
seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to
make a complaint is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Anna Graham
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services
