133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
6 May 2026
John Armstrong
By email: [FYI request #34233 email]
Ref:
H2026081326
Tēnā koe John
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) transferred from the
Crown Law Office to the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 10 April 2026 for
information regarding legal costs in the proceeding: CIV-2024-404-845 Whittome v Director-
General of Health
. You requested:
4. “Funding Source Confirmation of the appropriation or funding source used to meet these
legal costs.”
This cost was met through Non-Departmental Expenditure. This can be identified as "Non-
departmental other expenses: Legal expenses" in the Ministry’s Annual Report:
www.health.govt.nz/publications/ministry-of-health-annual-report-for-the-year-ended-30-june-
2025.
I trust this information fulfils your request.
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.
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-req
uests.
Nāku noa, nā
Phil Knipe
Chief Legal Advisor
Corporate Services | Te Pou Tiaki
