14 April 2026
Ref: DOIA-REQ-0030358
Sam Taylor
Email: [FYI request #34306 email]
Tēnā koe Sam
Thank you for your email of 30 March 2026 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
I would like to request the following information in relation to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), a
part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE):
1. The number of INZ staff who are currently employed on a full-time remote basis (i.e.
working from home or outside of a physical office location on a permanent basis).
2. If available, a breakdown of these staff by:
a. Role type or business group; and/or
b. Employment status (e.g. permanent, fixed-term).
3. Any policy or criteria used by MBIE/INZ to determine eligibility for full-time remote
working arrangements.
Questions 1 & 2
MBIE does not record full-time remote working arrangements in a way that is centrally collated. To
provide the information requested would require reviewing individual files to determine individual
employment arrangements. Therefore, we are refusing questions 1 and 2 under section 18(f) of the Act,
as the information cannot be made available without substantial collation or research.
We also note that the information requested has the potential to make individuals identifiable. If such
information were centrally held, all relevant privacy considerations would be applied before any decision
on release.
Question 3
MBIE and INZ do not have a formal policy or set criteria that determine eligibility for full-time remote
working arrangements. These arrangements are considered on a case-by-case basis, and not all roles are
suitable for remote working. Accordingly, MBIE refuses question 3 under section 18(e) of the Act, as the
information requested does not exist.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance,
please contact
[email address].
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
Nāku noa, nā
Jennifer Nathan
Chief People Officer
People and Culture
Corporate and Digital Shared Services
