IN-CONFIDENCE

Kia ora Kieran Pegler,

I am writing to you regarding your request for information below and
attached. This letter is to advise you that the Ministry requires more
time to respond to this request. In accordance with section 15(1) and 15A
of the Official Information Act, the Ministry’s decision will be with you
no later than 7 August 2026.

 

The reason for the extension is that consultations necessary to make a
decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request
cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit and the request
is for a large quantity of information and meeting the original time limit
would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Ministry.

 

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.

 

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this
decision, please feel free to contact [2][MSD request email]

 

I will respond to you sooner if I am able to.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Official Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services

Ministry of Social Development

 

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whānau

 

 

From: Kieran Pegler <[3][email address]>
Sent: Friday, 29 May 2026 5:13 pm
To: OIA_Requests (MSD) <[4][MSD request email]>
Subject: Official Information Act Request – MSD Automated Decision-Making
Systems

 

You don't often get email from [5][email address]. [6]Learn why
this is important

To the Ministry of Social Development,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following
information concerning the use of automated decision-making, predictive
analytics, or AI-assisted systems within MSD.

Please provide:

 1. The names of all external vendors or technology providers involved in
the development, supply, or operation of systems used for:

o benefit assessment,
o sanctions or compliance action,
o debt assessment or recovery,
o fraud detection,
o or client risk assessment.

 2. Copies of:

o contracts,
o procurement documents,
o business cases,
o cabinet papers,
o or ministerial briefings
relating to those systems.

 3. Any privacy impact assessments, algorithmic impact assessments, risk
assessments, auditing reports, or accuracy-testing reports prepared in
relation to those systems.
 4. Documents describing:

o whether recommendations or decisions are generated automatically,
o the extent of required human oversight before action is taken
affecting a beneficiary,
o and the categories of personal or behavioural data used by those
systems.

 5. Copies of any operational guidance, workflow instructions, system
prompts, or staff guidance relating to the use of generative AI tools
or automated decision-support systems in beneficiary administration.
 6. For each identified system, please state whether MSD classifies it as:

o rules-based automation,
o predictive analytics,
o machine learning,
o generative AI,
o or another form of automated decision-support.

If any part of this request is considered likely to require substantial
collation or research, I request assistance to refine the request under
section 13 of the Official Information Act.

I request the information in electronic form where possible.

Regards, 

 

Kieran Pegler

This email and any attachments may contain information that is
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this
email and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in
error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the
email and attachments. The Ministry of Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.

References

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