4 May 2026
Miguel Angel
[FYI request #34245 email]
Our ref: OIA 2526-1026
Tēnā koe Miguel
Response to your Official Information Act request
Thank you for your email of 25 March 2026 to the Ministry for Ethnic Communities (the Ministry)
requesting information under the Official Information Act (the Act) relating to the Ethnic
Communities Fund (ECDF) grant awarded to Asturlab Cultural Centre for the ‘4 for 40 Stop the
Silence Campaign’.
Our response to your request
Please note that the
Information Schedule (attached) provides a detailed breakdown of the
documents that have been released in ful , released in part or withheld under the applicable sections
of the Act. Some documents are in scope for more than one part of the request, and this information
has also been provided.
Part 1
Final Results Report (Withheld Document)
- The date on which the final results report was received by the Ministry.
- All correspondence relating to any requests for clarification, further information, or
amendments to that report.
- Any internal assessments, reviews, or commentary on that report.
The Ministry received the final results report on 8 July 2025.
There are two documents in scope of this part of the request. Documents one and two are released
to you with some information withheld under section 9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of natural
persons, and some information redacted as it is outside the scope of the request.
Please note that for document one (financial results report), the financial information narrative
presented differs from the expenditure breakdown. After the initial results report was submitted, the
Ministry sought further clarification on the costs. The applicant provided updated information which
is reflected in the final expenditure report.
Part 2
Application of Section 9(2)(ba)(i)
- Any internal communications relating to the decision to withhold the final results report under
section 9(2)(ba)(i).
- Any documents setting out the basis on which:
I. an obligation of confidence was considered to exist, and
I . release was considered likely to prejudice the future supply of similar information.
There are two documents in scope of this part of the request.
Document three is released to you with some information withheld under 9(2)(a) to protect the
privacy of natural persons, and some out of scope information redacted. Document four is released
in full with some out of scope information redacted.
As part of considering the request, the Ministry consulted with the applicant on the release of the
information, including the final results report. The applicant raised concerns over the final results
report being released while the Ministry was actively seeking clarification. Noting that the release of
the report at that stage may cause unnecessary confusion, the applicant asked that the report be
withheld for the time being to al ow them to provide the clarification sought without undue
prejudice.
Part 3
Due Diligence – Specific Evidence
-Any documents that record or summarise the Ministry’s assessment of whether the funded
activities:
I. involved advocacy, or
I . were intended to influence public opinion.
The Ministry does not hold information that records or summarises the Ministry’s assessment of
whether funded activities involved advocacy or intend to influence public opinion. As such, this part
of the request is refused under section 18(e) of the Act as the information requested does not exist.
The Ethnic Communities Development Fund (ECDF) does not, and is not intended to, support political
campaigning or activities outside its published purpose, eligibility, and funding criteria.
The application described community engagement, moderated discussions, youth activities, and
digital content to support respectful dialogue, including engagement with Muslim, Jewish and other
communities. The grant was assessed against the ECDF published purpose, eligibility and funding
criteria and was approved based on the information provided at the time. For further information on
ECDF purpose, eligibility and funding criteria, please see the Ministry’s Policy and Administrative
Guidelines 2023 a
t Policy and Administrative Guidelines 2023. Part 4
Assessment Timeline and Prioritisation
-Any internal records or communications that explain:
I. the timeframe in which this application was assessed and approved, and II. whether
the application was treated as urgent or expedited, and if so, why.
I I. how applications are prioritised, including any criteria for urgent or expedited
consideration.
The Ministry received the request on 27 November 2023. This request was assessed and approved on
1 December 2023. The grant was awarded on 6 December 2023 and paid out on 13 December 2023.
Applications are ordinarily prioritised by submission date. The Ministry aims to notify applicants of
funding decisions within 12 weeks from the date applications are submitted. In certain
circumstances, applications can be fast-tracked by the Ministry to provide timely responses where
communities face immediate pressures, or to mitigate emerging risks for local communities. I refer
you to the table below which outlines the difference between our normal (12 week) and fast-track
processes.
2
This application was one of seven applications approved, including from Jewish, Muslim and multi-
faith organisations, through a fast-track process to enable timely consideration of ECDF applications
made fol owing the October 2023 outbreak of hostilities in the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Part 5
Assistance to Applicant
- Any internal policies or guidance relating to the provision of advice or assistance to ECDF
applicants during the application process.
- Any records indicating whether the assistance provided in this case was considered standard
practice.
The Ministry’s ECDF Decision Handbook outlines a Community Funding Advisor’s role as follows:
• Analysing ECDF applications, including assessing applications for eligibility, alignment with
Fund purpose and priorities, financial robustness, risk, community need, benefit, and ability
to deliver to provide Panel Members with advice and recommendations for funding
investment.
• Assisting applicants by providing advice to community groups and organisations on matters
such as legal incorporation, governance, organisational infrastructure, financial
management, project feasibility, project management, risk awareness, sustainability,
accountability, staff/volunteer management, and planning.
• Assisting community groups and organisations with the development, maintenance, and
evaluation of applications for ECDF funding.
The guidance provided for this application was consistent with standard practice and within the
scope of the role of a Community Funding Advisor.
Part 6
Handling of OIA 2526-0072
- Any internal communications created after receipt of OIA 2526-0072 that relate to:
I. the decision to withhold information, or
I . the scope of information released.
This part of the request is captured in document three. Additionally, the Ministry holds scoping
meetings or general discussions to determine the scope of a request and assess the information in
scope which includes any decisions related to releasing information under the Act. These discussions
are part of standard practice with the final decisions captured within document four. In this instance,
3
the Ministry does not hold any formal meeting notes or any other internal communications other
than what has already been provided in our response to OIA2526-0072.
As required by section 9(1) of the Act, I have considered whether the grounds for withholding
information under section 9 of the Act are outweighed by other considerations which would make it
desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available.
Please note, due to the public interest in our work, the Ministry may publish responses to requests
for official information on our website, shortly after the response has been sent. If you have any
queries about this, please feel free to contact our Ministerial Services team:
[email address].
Ngā mihi
Edward Firth
Director of Ministerial Services
4
Information Schedule
Document
Date
Title
Scope
Decision
Number
1
8 July 2025
Final Results Report
Question 1 Some information
withheld under
under section
9(2)(a), and as out of
scope.
2
5 August 2025 – Email – Grants results
Question 1 Some information
26 August 2025 report additional
withheld under
information required
section 9(2)(a).
3
15 August 2025 Email – Notification of
Questions Some information
– 16 September OIA2526-0072 – Release
2 and 6
withheld under
2025
of final document
section 9(2)(a), and
as out of scope.
4
21 August 2025 OIA2425-0072 Cover
Question 2 Released in full.
Memorandum
Some out of scope
information
redacted.
5
Document Outline
