8 July 2026
Ref: OIA-2025/26-0731
David Farrar
[FYI request #34724 email]
Tēnā koe David
Official Information Act request relating to Parliament protesting funding
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request, which was received by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) on 19 May 2026. You requested:
I am seeking all documents relating to the protest held in Parliament Grounds in
February and March 2022, specifically any reports or other documents (including
communications) that relate to the funding or organisation of the protest.
On 20 May 2026 you were advised that your request was partially transferred to Police for
any information they may hold in scope of your original request. Police wil respond to you
directly.
On 26 May 2026 you refined your request to DPMC to be for the following:
1. I am seeking all documents relating to the protest held in Parliament Grounds in
February and March 2022. Formal documents include reports, briefings,
memoranda, aides-memoire and also documents from entities such as The
Disinformation Project if they were held with DPMC.
2. Specifically, any reports or other documents (including communications) that relate
to the funding or organisation of the protest.
The time frame for responding to your request was extended under section 15A of the Act by
10 working days because consultations were needed before a decision could be made on
the request. Fol owing this extension, I am now in a position to respond.
Information being released
I have decided to release copies of the documents listed below, subject to information being
withheld as noted.
Item
Date
Document description
Decision
1
17 February 2022 Parliament Protest ODESC Agenda
Release, with some
Parliament Protest ODESC #1 Minutes 17
information withheld
February 2022 1000hrs
under sections 6(a),
9(2)(g)(i ), 9(2)(k)
2
17 February 2022 ODESC briefing: Parliament Protest ODESC #1
Release
3
25 February 2022 Aide-Memoire: Prime Minister’s National Security Release [Some
Briefing on 2 March 2022
information not in
scope and
consultation ongoing]
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Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
Item
Date
Document description
Decision
4
23 March 2022
Security and Intel igence Board Meeting Papers
Release, with some
information withheld
[Pages 7-64 and 77-109 removed as not in
under sections 6(a),
scope of request]
9(2)(a)
[Some information not
in scope]
5
23 March 2022
Minutes of Security and Intelligence Board
Release, with some
Meeting
information withheld
under sections 6(a),
9(2)(g)(i)
[Some information not
in scope]
6
25 March 2022
Comparisons between the Canadian Freedom
Release
Convoy and New Zealand Protest Convoy, and
Longer-Term Implications
The relevant grounds under which information has been withheld are:
• s6(a), to protect the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations
of the Government of New Zealand
• s9(2)(a), to protect personal privacy
• s9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and
frank expression of opinion
• s9(2)(g)(i ), to prevent improper pressure or harassment; and
• s9(2)(k), to prevent disclosure or use for improper gain or advantage.
In relation to Item [3] paragraphs 17-20 and Attachment B titled ‘Letter from Hon James
Shaw MP’, to date consultation with former MP Shaw has not been able to be completed
therefore, at this stage this information is not being released to you. Once consultation with
Mr Shaw is completed a second reply wil be sent to you with the decision regarding
paragraphs 17-20 and Attachment B.
As per section 16(1)(e) of the Act, the following excerpt is being provided from the briefing
titled ‘Fortnightly Report National Security Group’, dated 3 March 2022:
National Security System Governance, Coordination and Responses
Update
National Security System activation: [Not in scope] Parliament protest
The National Security System remains activated in response to [Not in scope] and
the protest at Parliament.
The remainder of the document is not in scope of your request.
In addition, please find attached as Appendix A extracts from the briefing titled ‘Policy Levers
for Addressing Mis/Disinformation’, dated 9 March 2022.
The remaining information in this document is withheld in full under the following sections of
the Act:
• s6(a), as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the security, defence or international
relations of New Zealand
• s9(2)(ba)(i), to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence and
its release would be likely to prejudice the future supply of similar information
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• s9(2)(f)(iv), to maintain the confidentiality of advice tendered by or to Ministers and
officials; and
• s9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and
frank expression of opinion.
Nothing else has been identified as relevant to your request.
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of
the Act. No public interest has been identified that would be sufficient to outweigh the
reasons for withholding that information.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
This response wil be published on the DPMC website during our regular publication cycle.
Typically, information is released monthly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal
information including name and contact details wil be removed for publication.
Nāku noa, nā
Jeremy Clarke-Watson
Deputy Chief Executive
National Security and Resilience Group
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