Request
Cher Ryker made this Official Information request to Ministry of Justice
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From: Cher Ryker
Dear Ministry of Justice,
To: Ministry of Justice (OIA Requests)
Subject: OIA Request - 1993 High Court Injunction Records: Auckland Area Health Board / "Gang of 4"
Tēnā koe,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I am requesting copies of court records, including but not limited to statements of claim, sworn affidavits, and the final judicial rulings/injunctions, related to a specific 1993 High Court case.
This case is historically referred to as the "Gang of 4" lawsuit, brought against the Auckland Area Health Board (specifically concerning the management of the Auckland Drug Dependency Clinic / Methadone program).
One of the primary plaintiffs in this action was my father. His birth name was William Frederick Webb, though he legally operated under his adopted name, Barry Bond. In the community and historical archives, he is also frequently recorded under the surname Ryker (Barry Ryker). Please note that he passed away in 2003, and as his daughter and next of kin, I am requesting these files for the purpose of compiling a comprehensive family and historical archive.
To assist your search, the parameters of the request are:
Timeframe: 1993 (The injunction was likely granted on or shortly before May 1993).
Parties Involved: Barry Bond / William Frederick Webb (or under the name Barry Ryker) and three other unnamed plaintiffs vs. The Auckland Area Health Board.
Nature of the Claim: The plaintiffs sought an injunction to prevent the withdrawal of methadone treatment and sued for damages regarding violations of procedural due process and bodily autonomy.
If the formal court records are held by Archives New Zealand rather than the Ministry of Justice due to their age, I would appreciate it if you could provide the specific transfer reference numbers so I can request them directly from the archives.
Ngā mihi,
Cher Heather Ryker
Yours faithfully,
Cher Ryker
From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
Ministry of Justice
Tēnā koe,
Thank you for contacting the [1][Ministry of Justice request email] mailbox at the
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
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From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
Ministry of Justice
Tēnā koe Cher,
Thank you for contacting the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry).
We acknowledge receipt of your request under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act) related to a specific 1993 High Court case.
This has been forwarded to the Operations and Service Delivery unit to
respond to.
The Ministry may publish the response to your request on our website. You
can expect that if the response is to be published that this will take
place at least 10 working days after the response has been sent to you.
Your name and any other personal information will be withheld under
Section 9(2)(a) (protect the privacy of natural persons) of the Act. If
you do not want the response to your request published on the Ministry’s
website, please contact us on receipt of this email.
You can expect a response by 18/05/2026.
Ngā mihi
Ministerial Services
Communications and Ministerial Services |Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture
DX Box SX 10088 | Wellington
[1]www.justice.govt.nz
show quoted sections
From: Cher Ryker
From: Cher Ryker
From: OIA@justice.govt.nz
Ministry of Justice
UNCLASSIFIED
Tēnā koe Cher,
Please find attached, the Ministry’s response to your request for
information of 18 April 2026.
Ngā mihi
Communications and Ministerial Services |Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture
DX Box SX 10088 | Wellington
[1]www.justice.govt.nz
UNCLASSIFIED
From: [Ministry of Justice request email] <[Ministry of Justice request email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 21 April 2026 2:14 pm
To: Cher Ryker <[FOI #34516 email]>
Subject: RE: ref: 131954 - Official Information request - Request
Tēnā koe Cher,
Thank you for contacting the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry).
We acknowledge receipt of your request under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act) related to a specific 1993 High Court case.
This has been forwarded to the Operations and Service Delivery unit to
respond to.
The Ministry may publish the response to your request on our website. You
can expect that if the response is to be published that this will take
place at least 10 working days after the response has been sent to you.
Your name and any other personal information will be withheld under
Section 9(2)(a) (protect the privacy of natural persons) of the Act. If
you do not want the response to your request published on the Ministry’s
website, please contact us on receipt of this email.
You can expect a response by 18/05/2026.
Ngā mihi
Ministerial Services
Communications and Ministerial Services |Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture
DX Box SX 10088 | Wellington
[2]www.justice.govt.nz
show quoted sections
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