Citizenships Granted Under "Exceptional Circumstances" and Denied for Criminal Activity Since 2010
Scout Barbour-Evans made this Official Information request to Minister of Internal Affairs
The request was partially successful.
From: Scout Barbour-Evans
Tēnā koe Mr Dunne,
In the light of the news in February that Mr Peter Thiel was granted New Zealand Citizenship in 2011 despite never living here nor intending to live here based on his financial contributions to the Canterbury Earthquake recovery, and the news today that Mr Michael Tavares was denied citizenship based on legal results of his activism to save precious native trees from being felled, I would like to make this Official Information Act request on how citizenships are granted in this land. I reside in New Zealand and am making this request in accordance with s12(1) of the Official Information Act.
1) How many people have had New Zealand citizenship granted under "exceptional circumstances" in the 7 years since 2010?
2) How many people have had New Zealand citizenship denied based on criminal activities in the 7 years since 2010?
2a) Of those people, how many had criminal records that showed only one act of crime, such as Michael's one trespass conviction?
2b) Of those people, how many had criminal records that showed acts of violence towards another person or animal?
3) How does the Ministry of Internal Affairs work alongside mana whenua as per their obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi to ensure that New Zealand citizenships are granted appropriately?
4) How has Mr Peter Thiel's citizenship allowed him to work in the interest of every day New Zealanders since 2011?
I look forward to your prompt response.
Nāku, nā,
Scout Barbour-Evans
From: P Dunne (MIN)
Minister of Internal Affairs
On behalf of Hon Peter Dunne, thank you for your correspondence.
Your comments will be noted. If you have requested a formal response, this
will be forthcoming in due course.
Thank you once again for taking the time to get in touch.
Regards,
Office of Hon Peter Dunne
[1][Minister of Internal Affairs request email]
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From: Lee Carter
Dear Scout Barbour-Evans
This email is to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence. Your correspondence (OIA) will be given to the Minister for his information and, if appropriate, for his response.
Kind regards
Lee Carter
Private Secretary – Internal Affairs
Office of Hon Peter Dunne
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From: OIA
Dear Scout Barbour-Evans,
Thank you for your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982, transferred by Office of the Minister of Internal Affairs to the Department of Internal Affairs on 23 March 2017
Please find attached the Department of Internal Affairs’ formal response to your request.
Kind Regards
Rosemary Dhlakama | Advisor Governance
[email address]
The Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua
147 Lambton Quay | PO Box 805, Wellington 6140, New Zealand | www.dia.govt.nz
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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