Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/34066-minutes-of-meetings-discussing-and-or-deciding-the-2026-donations on May 28, 2026 06:01

Minutes of meetings discussing and/or deciding the 2026 donations

John Tester made this Official Information request to Newlands College

The request was refused by Newlands College.

From: John Tester

Dear Newlands College,

I would like to request copies of the minutes (or parts thereof) of any Board meetings where the level of the 2026 donations was discussed and/or decided.

I would also like to request copies of the minutes (or parts thereof) of any Board meetings where the additional donations for IT support and student health support were discussed and/or decided.

I would also like to request any financial analysis that was provided in support of those decisions.

Yours faithfully,

John Tester

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Newlands College

Dear John Tester

Thank you for your email dated 13 March 2026 requesting information
regarding school donation increase. Under Section 12 of the Official
Information Act 1982, we are required to verify the eligibility of a
requester before processing an official request. 

To proceed, we ask that you please provide the following:

* Your full name

* Your current home address; and

* Evidence of your eligibility (such as confirmation that you are a New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident, or currently in New Zealand).

Once we have verified your identity and eligibility, we will be happy to
begin processing your request and provide the relevant information.

Ngā mihi
Fei Gao
PA to Principal/Board Secretary
Newlands College
PO Box 26079
NEWLANDS 6442

Tel:  (04) 473 4136
Website: [1]www.newlands.school.nz

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From: John Tester

Dear Newlands College,

Thank you for your initial response. You can provide the information to me via the FYI website. I am a New Zealand citizen and resident.

Yours sincerely,

John Tester

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Newlands College

Kia ora John

Thank you for your response. Under Section 12 of the Official Information
Act 1982 (OIA), the College must be reasonably satisfied that a requester
meets the eligibility criteria. A simple statement of citizenship does not
provide the necessary assurance for us to release official information.

You may verify your identity and eligibility by emailing
[1][Newlands College request email] with a copy of your New Zealand passport,
birth certificate, or a utility bill showing a New Zealand address.

Once this verification is received, we will treat the request as valid and
the 20-working-day statutory timeframe will begin from that date.

Ngā mihi
Fei Gao
PA to Principal/Board Secretary
Newlands College
PO Box 26079
NEWLANDS 6442

Tel:  (04) 473 4136
Website: [2]www.newlands.school.nz

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Link to this

From: John Tester

Dear Newlands College,

I don't believe you are correct. I have referred this to the Ombudsman.

Yours sincerely,

John Tester

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From: John Tester

Dear Newlands College,

Thanks again for your message.

The Ombudsman publishes guidance for agencies (https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/site...) on responding to requests for Official Information via websites such as FYI.

Please note that this guidance states: "Agencies are entitled to make reasonable enquiries to satisfy themselves that a requester is eligible to make a request under the OIA. However, the eligibility requirement is not about imposing unnecessary barriers to legitimate requests. Agencies should only query eligibility if there is a genuine need to do so, and they should be mindful of their obligation to provide reasonable assistance to requesters.".

Note that proof of eligibility is not compelled by the Act.

I can assure you that I am eligible. I have a child at Newlands College, and wish to remain anonymous because I want to be sure that my request does not disadvantage my child.

In light of this and the Ombudsman's guidance, I would respectfully ask you to reconsider your position.

Yours sincerely,

John Tester

Link to this

Newlands College

Dear John

Thank you for your follow-up message and for providing the link to the
Ombudsman’s guidance regarding online requests and eligibility.

As you have referred this matter to the Office of the Ombudsman, we
believe it is most appropriate to wait for their independent guidance and
response.

We will be in touch once we have received further direction from the
Ombudsman.

Ngā mihi
Fei Gao
PA to Principal/Board Secretary
Newlands College
PO Box 26079
NEWLANDS 6442

Tel:  (04) 473 4136
Website: [1]www.newlands.school.nz

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: John Tester

Dear Newlands College,

It must be sad to be so embarrassed by your decision making process that you refuse to be transparent.

Yours sincerely,

John Tester

Link to this

Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Newlands College only: