Dear Dunedin City Council,

I write pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982 to request information concerning the deployment of 5G telecommunications infrastructure and smart street lighting systems within Dunedin.
Given that telecommunications infrastructure constitutes critical national infrastructure, and noting that publicly listed operators such as Spark New Zealand have significant institutional shareholdings including global asset management firms such as BlackRock, Vanguard Group, and JPMorgan Chase, transparency regarding governance, oversight, and operational control is plainly in the public interest.
Accordingly, I request:
All health, safety, and environmental assessments undertaken prior to the approval and rollout of 5G infrastructure in Dunedin, including RF exposure modelling and compliance documentation.
Confirmation of compliance with NZS 2772.1 (Radiofrequency Fields Standard) and details of any independent compliance audits.
Identification of the legal entities responsible for ownership, control, operation, and maintenance of:
5G macro and small cell installations;
Telecommunications equipment mounted on street lighting infrastructure;
Any associated smart-city hardware.
Clarification of the functional scope of “smart” street lighting installations, including whether they incorporate sensors, data collection capabilities, environmental monitoring, or other networked technologies beyond illumination and telecommunications.
Documentation outlining:
The governance structure of the relevant telecommunications operators;
The extent of foreign institutional ownership;
Where ultimate decision-making authority resides for infrastructure deployment within New Zealand;
The regulatory mechanisms ensuring that operational decisions remain subject to New Zealand law and public oversight.
Copies of any council meeting minutes, public consultation documents, contracts, or memoranda of understanding relating to the rollout of such infrastructure in Dunedin.
Given the increasing integration of telecommunications systems into broader “smart city” frameworks, and the globalised nature of capital ownership in critical infrastructure sectors, clarity regarding accountability, regulatory safeguards, and democratic oversight is of legitimate public interest.
I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.

Yours faithfully,
Greg