133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
4 June 2026
Erika Whittome
By email: [FYI request #34621 email]
Ref:
H2026082361
Tēnā koe Erika
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 6 May 2026 for information regarding mandatory
vaccinations announcements. You requested:
“On 11 Oct 2021, there was an announcement of Mandatory vaccination for two
workforces : health and educations workers which is here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20211021214524/https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-
vaccines/vaccinations-and-work/mandatory-vaccinations-for-workers/health-and-disability-
sector-vaccinations/
1. Would you please share the "Mandatory vaccination " legislation at this time for health
and education workforces?
2 Would you please share all the letters, correspondence, ministerial briefings, etc that led
to this 11 Oct 2021 announcement?”
On the 22 May 2026, the Ministry partially transferred the parts of your request referring to
education workers to the Ministry of Education under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act. You can expect
a response from their agency in due course. Their contact email is
[email address].
On 25 May 2026, you were informed by the Ministry that part 2 of your request covered a
substantial amount of information and documents therefore had potential to be refused under
section 18(f) of the Act, as the information cannot be made available without substantial
collation or research. Subsequently, you were asked to refine your request, to substantive and
final documents only between July and October 2021.
On 29 May 2026 you agreed to refine your request to between July and October 2021 but did
not clarify regarding substantive and final documents. In preference to refusing your request
under section 18(f), we have addressed your request based on our proposed refinement above.
Please note, the Ministry remains willing and engaged to work with you on any new and refined
request you may wish to make. The Ombudsman provides guidance on how to make requests
at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/resources/making-official-information-requests. The Ministry has identified seven documents within the scope of your request. These are
itemised below in Appendix 1.
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 calling 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-requests. Nāku noa, nā
Jan Torres
Manager, OIA Services Corporate Services | Te Pou Tiaki
Page 2 of 3
Appendix 1: List of documents for release
#
Date
Document details
Decision on release
1
30 April 2021
COVID-19 Public Health
Refused under section 18(d) of the Act
Response (Vaccinations)
as this information is publicly available
Order 2021
here:
https://legislation.govt.nz/secondary-
legislation/pco-
drafted/2021/94/en/latest/#LMS487853
2
25 August 2021 Aide-Mémoire:
Refused under section 18(d) of the
HR20211925 Meeting with
Act:
border worker and health
www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-
workforce unions to discuss
05/H2026081206.pdf
COVID-19 vaccination
3
15 September
Memorandum: Scope of
Refused under section 18(d) of the
2021
amendment to the COVID-
Act:
19 Public Health Response
www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2024-
(Vaccination Order) 2021 to
06/h202114740_response.pdf require certain healthcare
roles to be undertaken by
vaccination individuals
4
28 September
Aide-Mémoire:
Refused under section 18(d) of the
2021
HR20212113 Talking
Act:
points on required
www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-
vaccination for healthcare
05/H2026081206.pdf
workers
5
4 August 2021
Briefing: HR20211564
Refused under section 18(d) of the
COVID-19 Vaccination
Act:
Uptake for Healthcare
www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2022-
Workers
12/20211564_briefing.pdf. Please refer
to pages 7, 8 and 12.
6
October 2021
Cabinet Paper: Requiring
Refused under section 18(d) of the
high risk work in the health
Act:
and disability sector to be
www.health.govt.nz/information-
undertaken by vaccinated
releases/requiring-high-risk-work-in-
workers
the-health-and-disability-sector-to-be-
undertaken-by-vaccinated-workers
6A 11 October
Cabinet Minute: Requiring
2021
High Risk Work in the
Health and Disability Sector
to be Undertaken by
Vaccinated Workers
Page 3 of 3
