Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Tena koe e te Rangatira

CONTEXT
I am researching the operation of Cabinet government in New Zealand. For the pilot phase of the project, I am doing a case study of the National-NZ First Coalition, which was formed after the 12 October 1996 General Election.

INFORMATION REQUESTED
I am requesting copies of the Cabinet agenda for the first 10 meetings of that government.

HANDLING OF REQUEST
Noting the need to protect our constitutional conventions, please feel free to redact any or all information contained therein that would reveal diverging views of individual Ministers (Ombudsman Practice Guideline PART 2C CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION p9 refers).

In making your carefully considered decision please also note the passage of time and have regard to such precedents as the United Kingdom's Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (i.e. the "20-year rule").

Based on my own experience processing OIA requests, my estimate is that collation of this request would not be substantial nor should consultation or other aspects of preparing a response require an extension.

I would be happy to discuss any aspect of this request that would assist you in preparing your response. Please do consult me before any significant decisions are made.

LEGAL WARNING
In assisting me with my request, you must pay full regard to your duties under the Act, the full ambit of guidance issued by The Ombudsman, and your obligations under the State Sector Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with your duties and legal obligations is likely to result in a complaint being lodged with The Ombudsman. If such a complaint were to be upheld, it will automatically result in a formal Code of Conduct complaint being lodged with the appropriate authorities.

I trust this is satisfactory.

Yours faithfully,

Mx Jem Traylen
PolicyWorks NZ