List of people who have a current disqualification from owning animals
Lance Watson made this Official Information request to Ministry of Justice
The request was refused by Ministry of Justice.
From: Lance Watson
Kia ora Ministry of Justice,
Could I please have a list of names of all persons who have been disqualified by the courts from owning animals following a conviction for animal abuse/neglect.
Ngā mihi,
Lance Watson
From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
Ministry of Justice
Tēnā koe,
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Ministry of Justice.
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Ngā mihi,
Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice
Justice Centre I Aitken Street
DX Box SX 10088 I Wellington
[2]www.justice.govt.nz
References
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From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
Ministry of Justice
Tçnâ koe Lance,
Thank you for your email of 15 March 2026 to the Ministry of Justice (the
Ministry) seeking court information under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act).
While the Ministry provides administrative support to the courts, they are
a separate and independent arm of government. Under section 2(6)(a) of
the Act, the courts are not subject to the Act. Access to court
information is managed by the courts under separate legislation and court
rules.
I must therefore refuse your request under section 18(g) of the OIA on the
grounds that the information you have requested is not held by the
Ministry or any other agency subject to the Act.
You can search the publicly available Judicial Decisions Online here:
[1]High Court Judgments of Public Interest — Courts of New Zealand and
here: [2]Judgments — Courts of New Zealand for the subject matter you are
seeking.
If you would like to request court information, you need to apply to the
court under the appropriate court rules. You will need to fill out the
attached form and submit it directly to the relevant court. The contact
details for all courts are available at: [3]Find us | New Zealand Ministry
of Justice
Once your application is received, a decision on your request will be made
by a registrar or judge and there may be a charge.
You have the right under section 28 of the OIA to seek a review of the
Ministry’s response from the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s contact details
are available at: [4]Ombudsman New Zealand | Tari o te Kaitiaki Mana
Tangata
Thank you for taking time to write.
Ngâ mihi nui,
Ministerial Services
Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tâhû o te Ture [5]justice.govt.nz
-----Original Message-----
From: Lance Watson <[FOI #34096 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 15 March 2026 8:19 pm
To: [Ministry of Justice request email]
Subject: Official Information request - List of people who have a current
disqualification from owning animals (ref: 131089)
Kia ora Ministry of Justice,
Could I please have a list of names of all persons who have been
disqualified by the courts from owning animals following a conviction for
animal abuse/neglect.
Ngâ mihi,
Lance Watson
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References
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2. https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/judgments
3. https://www.justice.govt.nz/contact-us/f...
4. https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
5. http://www.justice.govt.nz/
6. mailto:[FOI #34096 email]
7. mailto:[Ministry of Justice request email]
8. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
9. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
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