05 May 2026
45 Pipitea Street, PO Box 805
Wel ington 6140, New Zealand
Phone +64 4 495 7200
Websit
e www.dia.govt.nz
Erika Whittome
[FYI request #34384 email]
Tēnā koe Erika
Your Official Information Act request OIA – 2526 – 1062
I write regarding your Official Information Act (the Act) request, which was received by the
Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) on 27 March 2026.
You have requested:
I understand the government vaccination mandates were dropped sometime around Sept 2022
with the revoking of certain Covid19 orders by the state.
1. What number of staff did DIA terminate or place on any form of " extended leave" due
to vaccination mandates in 2021/2022?
2. When did you initiate and then remove your policy for only employing vaccinated staff?
3. Would you please kindly share the emails and correspondence regarding this decision
to initiate and then remove this policy for only hiring vaccinated staff?
4. Please share a copy of the policy in its draft and final form 5. Please share the
workplace risk assessment for the Covid-19 disease
Response to your request
Please find below the response to your request:
1. What number of staff did DIA terminate or place on any form of " extended leave" due to
vaccination mandates in 2021/2022?
The Department did not terminate any employees due to vaccination mandates in 2021/2022.
Twelve employees were placed on special paid leave.
2. When did you initiate and then remove your policy for only employing vaccinated staff?
The Department first consulted on a COVID-19 policy in November 2021 with that policy being
implemented with effect from 1 February 2022.
This policy was reviewed in March 2022, May 2022 and October 2022. The requirement to be
vaccinated was removed from the policy effective from May 2022.
3. Would you please kindly share the emails and correspondence regarding this decision to initiate
and then remove this policy for only hiring vaccinated staff?
The Executive Leadership Team papers that detailed the consultation and decisions on the
COVID-19 policy are attached. The legal advice provided and included in these papers is redacted
under Section 9(h) of the Act to maintain legal professional privilege.
4. Please share a copy of the policy in its draft and final form
The policy in draft and final forms are attached either as part of the ELT papers or individually.
5. Please share the workplace risk assessment for the Covid-19 disease
The workplace risk assessments are attached.
We intend to publish our response to your request on
www.dia.govt.nz. This letter, with your
personal details removed, will be published in its entirety. Publishing responses increases the
availability of information to the public and is consistent with the Act’s purpose of enabling more
effective participation in the making and administration of laws and policies and promoting the
accountability of Ministers and officials.
If you have any feedback or questions about the Department’s response, please let us know at
[email address]. If you have any concerns with the information in this response, you have the right
to request an investigation and review by the Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Act.
Information about how to do this is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800
802 602.
Ngā mihi
Simon George
General Manager, Human Resources - Pūmanawa Tangata
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