Dear State Services Commission,

On 10 May 2013 it was reported that Families Commissioner Christine Rankin had been appointed CEO of the Conservative Party ("Conservative Party's New CEO Christine Rankin", 10 May 2013). The press release also revealed that Rankin has been a member of the Conservative party board since July 2012. Such a position seems to pose a conflict of interest between Rankin's political activities and her role as a state servant. I would like to request the following information under the OIA:

* any communications or advice on the compatibility of Rankin's political activities with her role as a state servant. In particular I am interested in whether Rankin informed SSC of her intention to take up these positions, and any advice SSC gave her or the Minister of Social Development about managing the conflict of interest.

A parallel request has been filed with the Minister of Social Development to get her end of the story.

I would prefer to receive an electronic response. Queries about this request will be automatically forwarded to me by the fyi.org.nz website.

With regards to s12 of the OIA, I am an NZ citizen and in NZ.

Yours faithfully,

Alex Harris

Dear State Services Commission,

On May 13 2013 I submitted an OIA request for information about communications around then-Families Commissioner Christine Rankin's membership of the Conservative Party. The statutory 20 day period has expired, and I have not received an acknowledgement, let alone a response. Will you be replying soon, or do I need to go to the Ombudsman?

Yours faithfully,

Alex Harris