133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
16 July 2026
Penny Claridge
By email: [FYI request #34797 email]
Ref:
H2026084337
Tēnā koe Penny
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) transferred from
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) to the Ministry of Health
– Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 17 June 2026. You requested:
“1. Any papers, briefings, agendas, or records of decisions from the Cabinet National
Security Committee (NSC) that address pandemic preparedness in the context of New
Zealand's relationship with GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance), the World Health Organization, or
the Gates Foundation, during the period 1 January 2024 to date.”
Following advice from the DPMC, we have interpreted your request to include any papers,
briefings, agendas, or records of decisions that address pandemic preparedness in the above
contexts.
In regard to New Zealand’s relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) in the
context of pandemic preparedness, the Ministry does not hold any documents in scope of this
request. Therefore, your request is refused under section 18(g)(i) of the Act, as the information
requested is not held by the Ministry and there are no grounds for believing this is connected
more closely with the functions of another agency subject to the Act.
While the Ministry does not have a relationship with GAVI or the Gates Foundation, the topic of
pandemic preparedness is more closely linked with the Ministry's functions. Therefore,
documents that the agencies connected with these organisations might hold regarding
pandemic preparedness would have originated from the Ministry, if they were to exist. However,
no documents were identified within the scope of your request therefore this is also refused
under section 18(g)(i) of the Act.
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 cal ing 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
Salli Davidson
Director, Global Health Public Health Agency & Mental Health Group | Te Pūtahi Tūmatanui ā-Hauora ā-
Hinengaro
Page 2 of 2
