Dear Ministry of Justice,

I request the following information under the Official Information Act 1982 relating to the English Language Bill 198-1, currently before the Justice Committee.

The proactive release published on 17 February 2026 by the Minister of Justice contains seven documents relating to this Bill. Multiple passages have been withheld under section 9(2)(f)(iv) to protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers and officials. I request the release of the specific redacted material identified below.

From Document 1 — "Declaring English an Official Language" (Cabinet paper, Minister of Justice):

1. The content of paragraph 20, withheld under s9(2)(f)(iv), within the Legislative Implications section.

2. The content of recommendation 4, withheld under s9(2)(f)(iv).

From Document 2 — CBC-25-MIN-0029 (Cabinet Business Committee minute, 30 June 2025):

3. The content of paragraph 4, withheld under s9(2)(f)(iv).

From Document 4 — "English Language Bill: Approval for introduction" (Cabinet paper, Minister of Justice):

4. The content of recommendation 1, withheld under s9(2)(f)(iv).

From Document 5 — LEG-25-MIN-0155 (Cabinet Legislation Committee minute, 14 August 2025):

5. The content of paragraph 1, withheld under s9(2)(f)(iv).

From Document 7 — "Draft Cabinet paper: Declaring English an Official Language" (Briefing to Minister of Justice, 11 June 2025):

6. All content withheld under s9(2)(f)(iv), including but not limited to the redacted passage at paragraph 26 and any redacted content in annexed material.

I ask that this request be treated as urgent. The Justice Committee has set a submission deadline of 11:59 pm on Friday 27 March 2026. The redacted material relates directly to the confidential advice that shaped this Bill — advice that submitters and the Committee need in order to scrutinise the legislation meaningfully. Release after the submission deadline would defeat the purpose of the request and undermine the select committee process.

I note that the s9(2)(f)(iv) withholding ground requires a public interest balancing test under section 9(1) of the Act. The Bill is now before a select committee receiving public submissions. The public interest in informed scrutiny of this legislation is high and, I submit, outweighs the interest in continued confidentiality of advice that has already been partially released and overtaken by Cabinet decisions.

All responses to this request must be sent via the FYI.org.nz platform through which this request has been submitted.

Yours faithfully,

Lance D. Lavery