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Kia ora,
On behalf of Hon Louise Upston, thank you for your email.  
Thank you for contacting Hon Louise Upston, Minister for the Community and
Voluntary Sector, Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister
for Tourism and Hospitality, Minister for Child Poverty Reduction,
Minister for Disability Issues.

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Thank you for the taking the time to write.

Kind regards,

Office of Hon Louise Upston MP

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector

Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality 
Minister for Child Poverty Reduction
Minister for Disability Issues 

Email: [Louise Upston request email] 
Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

Authorised by Hon Louise Upston MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Kia ora Nigel,
 
Thank you for your email 29th May 2026 in which you submitted an Official Information Act request as follows: 
 
 
1. Briefings and advice provided to you as Minister Please provide all documents (including Cabinet papers, aide memoires, talking points, and internal briefings) provided to you since 1 January 2023 relating to:

the development, scope, or intent of the automated decision‑making provisions

the decision to take the Bill through all stages under urgency

the expected impacts of ADM on benefit suspensions, cancellations, or reductions

the projected $55 million reduction in benefit expenditure attributed to automation

For each document, please include any annexes, attachments, or appended risk assessments.

2. ADM systems proposed for Ministerial awareness or approval Please provide:

the list of all Automated Decision‑Making (ADM) systems that have been:

brought to your attention,

proposed for approval, or

referenced in Ministerial briefings
in relation to the new automated decision‑making powers.

For each system, please provide the name, purpose, and the specific Social Security Act provisions the system is intended to operate under.

3. Ministerial risk assessments and legal advice summaries Please provide:

any risk assessments provided to you regarding ADM systems

any summaries of legal advice (not the advice itself) relating to:

natural justice

NZBORA consistency

indirect discrimination risks

automation of discretionary decisions

automation of medical‑based decisions

any Ministerial notes or comments on these assessments

I am not requesting privileged legal advice — only the summaries or risk statements provided to you.

4. Documents relating to the decision to bypass Select Committee scrutiny Please provide:

all documents, advice, or communications provided to you regarding the decision to pass the Bill under urgency

any analysis of the implications of removing the Select Committee stage

any advice on public consultation, transparency, or stakeholder engagement

any communications with Cabinet colleagues regarding urgency

5. Transparency and public reporting
Please provide:

any documents discussing whether a public register of ADM systems will be created

any advice to you on transparency obligations for ADM systems

any communications regarding public disclosure of ADM approvals or risk assessments

6. Ministerial expectations or directives to MSD Please provide:

any expectations, directives, or instructions you have issued to MSD regarding:

the scope of ADM

the pace of ADM rollout

the types of decisions considered suitable for automation

the treatment of vulnerable groups

the handling of suspensions and cancellations

This includes any written or emailed communications.

Minister Upston is considering your request in accordance with the Act, and you can expect a response by 29th June 2026.
 
 
Thank you
 
 
 

Office of Hon Louise Upston | MP for Taupō
Minister for Disability Issues
Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
Minister for Child Poverty Reduction
Leader of the House
 
 
Website: www.Beehive,govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
-----Original Message-----
From: Nigel Gray <[FOI #34810 email]>
Sent: Friday, 29 May 2026 9:15 PM
To: Louise Upston (MIN) <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Request for information on Automated DecisionMaking (ADM) systems proposed for approval under the Social Security (Automated DecisionMaking) Amendment

To: Minister for Social Development
From: Nigel Gray
Date: 29 May 2026

Dear Louise Upston,
Subject: Request for information on Automated Decision‑Making (ADM) systems proposed for approval under the Social Security (Automated Decision‑Making) Amendment

I am requesting the following information under the Official Information Act 1982.
This request is directed to you in your capacity as Minister for Social Development.

This request is limited to existing documents, existing assessments, and existing system descriptions to avoid any need for creation of new information.

1. Briefings and advice provided to you as Minister Please provide all documents (including Cabinet papers, aide memoires, talking points, and internal briefings) provided to you since 1 January 2023 relating to:

the development, scope, or intent of the automated decision‑making provisions

the decision to take the Bill through all stages under urgency

the expected impacts of ADM on benefit suspensions, cancellations, or reductions

the projected $55 million reduction in benefit expenditure attributed to automation

For each document, please include any annexes, attachments, or appended risk assessments.

2. ADM systems proposed for Ministerial awareness or approval Please provide:

the list of all Automated Decision‑Making (ADM) systems that have been:

brought to your attention,

proposed for approval, or

referenced in Ministerial briefings
in relation to the new automated decision‑making powers.

For each system, please provide the name, purpose, and the specific Social Security Act provisions the system is intended to operate under.

3. Ministerial risk assessments and legal advice summaries Please provide:

any risk assessments provided to you regarding ADM systems

any summaries of legal advice (not the advice itself) relating to:

natural justice

NZBORA consistency

indirect discrimination risks

automation of discretionary decisions

automation of medical‑based decisions

any Ministerial notes or comments on these assessments

I am not requesting privileged legal advice — only the summaries or risk statements provided to you.

4. Documents relating to the decision to bypass Select Committee scrutiny Please provide:

all documents, advice, or communications provided to you regarding the decision to pass the Bill under urgency

any analysis of the implications of removing the Select Committee stage

any advice on public consultation, transparency, or stakeholder engagement

any communications with Cabinet colleagues regarding urgency

5. Transparency and public reporting
Please provide:

any documents discussing whether a public register of ADM systems will be created

any advice to you on transparency obligations for ADM systems

any communications regarding public disclosure of ADM approvals or risk assessments

6. Ministerial expectations or directives to MSD Please provide:

any expectations, directives, or instructions you have issued to MSD regarding:

the scope of ADM

the pace of ADM rollout

the types of decisions considered suitable for automation

the treatment of vulnerable groups

the handling of suspensions and cancellations

This includes any written or emailed communications.

Format
I am happy to receive the information in electronic form.

If any part of this request is likely to be refused, please consult with me first so I can refine the scope.

Yours faithfully,

Nigel Gray

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