New Zealand Institute
for Public Health and
Forensic Science
9 July 2026
By email: [FYI request #34912 email]
Dear Mike,
Official Information Request for Information on Research into Methamphetamine
Contamination
I refer to your official information request received by the New Zealand Institute for Public Health
and Forensic Science Limited (‘PHF Science’) dated Wednesday 17 June 2026 for the following
information:
“Please provide information on any research, reports, results and communications (both internally
and externally) into methamphetamine contamination research projects, started, completed
and/or underway into methamphetamine contamination?
Please provide information on any research, reports, results and communications (both internally
and externally) into contamination research projects, started, completed and/or underway into
carpet and/or other furnishings?
Please include
a. Start date.
b. Anticipated completion date.
c. Current project status.
d. Work completed to date.
e. Preliminary findings or interim conclusions.
f. Progress reports supplied to HUD or any other government agency.
g. Terms of Reference or Methodology used in the research
h. Project objectives”
Our Response
On 23 June 2026, PHF Science sent a letter via email inviting you to clarify or amend the scope of
your original request to research projects in relation to methamphetamine in carpets and/or
furnishings. To date, PHF Science has not received a response to the request for clarification or
amendment.
PHF Science has decided to grant your request subject to the details outlined in this letter. Given
the significant amount of resources and time required to process your request, it has been decided
to charge for making the requested information available pursuant to section 15(1(a)) and (2) of the
Official Information Act.
It is estimated that the maximum charge will be $9,348.00 ex GST. Any unused component of the
maximum charge will be refunded to you. This charge has been calculated in accordance with
Ministry of Justice guidelines using a rate of $38 per half hour, with the first hour free. For specific
details of how this charge has been calculated, please refer to the enclosed estimate of costs
outlined in the document titled ‘PHF Science Charging Breakdown for Mike (Final)’.
New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science Limited
Kenepuru Science Centre: 34 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua 5022 | PO Box 50348, Porirua 5240, New Zealand
www.phfscience.nz T: +64 4 914 0700
Before PHF Science can proceed further with your request, please confirm your agreement to the
charge by advising us via return email. Once confirmation is received, PHF Science will raise an
invoice for a charge of $9,348.00 ex GST which you will be required to pay in full prior to us
providing you with our response. PHF Science will send you the information within 3 months of
receiving your payment. Records of the time spent processing your request will be kept, and any
amount paid that is not required to meet the actual costs incurred will be refunded to you on
completion of the response.
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 www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Tanja Van Peer
Interim General Manager Forensics