133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
26 March 2026
Spencer Jones
By email:
[FYI request #34077 email]
Ref:
H2026080091
Tēnā koe Spencer
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 13 March 2026. Each part of your request has been
responded to in turn:
“The following information from 1 January 2010 to the present concerning smart meters,
advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), radiofrequency fields, electromagnetic fields, and
related public health assessment.
Please provide:
1. Any internal briefings, reports, reviews, issue notes, scientific summaries, or advice
concerning actual or potential health effects associated with smart meters or AMI.
The Ministry has previously provided you al information in scope of this part of your request,
under references H2025071277, H2025070888 and H2025077086.
2. Any records discussing whether smart meters are assessed, mentioned, or treated
within New Zealand’s framework for non-ionising radiation, including reference to NZS
2772.1:1999, ICNIRP-based material, or related guidance.
As we wrote in our response to your request under reference H2026079376, in the Committee’s
report to Ministers 2022 the following is noted:
ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) confirmed in 2020 that
the limits on which it is based remain protective for current commercial applications of RF
technology. Reviews of the health research carried out since 1999 by national and international
expert panels have also found no good reason to revise the fundamental limits. The underlying
science behind the exposure limits in NZS 2772.1 has not changed since it was published. The committee’s report to Ministers is available on the Ministry’s website at:
www.health.govt.nz/publications/interagency-committee-on-the-health-effects-of-non-ionising-
fields-report-to-ministers-2022. Smart meters are directly discussed on page 45 of this report.
3. Any inter-agency correspondence with the Electricity Authority, MBIE, ESR, Health NZ,
or other agencies concerning:
• smart meter health concerns,
• RF/EMF exposure,
• public enquiries,
• FAQ wording,
• public reassurance statements,
• or whether further health guidance was considered necessary.
This part of your request is similar to information sought in your request under reference
H2026079173. As with that response, this part of your request is refused under section 18(g)(i),
as the information requested is not held by the Ministry and there are no grounds for believing it
is held by another agency subject to the Act.
4. Any complaint summaries, enquiry logs, trend reports, or issue registers relating to smart
meters and al eged health symptoms or RF/EMF concerns.
The Ministry responded to a very similar request under reference H2025070888. As with that
response, section 18(g)(i) applies.
5. Any records addressing whether the Ministry or Health NZ considers current public-
health guidance on non-ionising radiation adequate to address smart-meter-specific
concerns.
Please refer to our response to part 2 of this request.
6. Any record identifying which agency is regarded by the health sector as the lead agency
for smart-meter-related public concerns where health, regulation, and consumer issues
overlap.
This part of your request is identical to information sought through reference H2026079376.
As stated in that response: The Interagency Committee on the Health Effects of Non-ionising
Fields (the Committee) monitors and reviews research on the health effects of electromagnetic
fields (including smart meters). This committee is convened by the Ministry of Health.
Please note that repeated requests for similar information, where the wording has been slightly
adjusted, may be construed as vexatious and therefore refused under section 18(h) of the Act.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel
free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address]. Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by cal ing 0800 802 602.
Page 2 of 3
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests. Nāku noa, nā
Dr Corina Grey
Director of Public Health Public Health Agency | Te Pou Hauora Tūmatanui
Page 3 of 3
