Matthew Theunissen Email: [FYI request #9923 email]
Dear Mr Theunissen
I am writing to you in response to your request submitted 25 March 2019. You requested: I wish to request a transcript of the interview conducted with the alleged Christchurch murderer Brenton Tarrant by a Police Firearms Officer, which I understand was conducted before he was granted a firearms licence. I further wish to request any additional information held in relation to Tarrant’s application for a licence and any other correspondence relating to the granting of the licence.
I have considered your request and my response is as follows.
There is no transcript of any recorded interview on the file. Notes made of the interview conducted with Brenton Tarrant before he was granted a firearms licence is refused pursuant to section 6(c) of the Official Information Act 1982, as the making available of the information is likely to prejudice the maintenance of the law including the prevention, investigation and detection of offences and the right to a fair trial.
All other additional information held in relation to Brenton Tarrant’s firearms licence application process pertain to a current investigation / prosecution and this part of your request is refused pursuant to section 6(c) of the Official Information Act 1982.
I can advise you, a statement was published on the Police website that you may find useful, please refer to the below link: https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/christchurch-terror-attack-%E2%80%93- statement-accused%E2%80%99s-firearms-licence-application
Police National Headquarters 180 Molesworth Street. PO Box 3017, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. Telephone: 04 474 9499. Fax: 04 498 7400. www.police.govt.nz
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the Official Information Act 1982, to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision if you are not satisfied with the way I have responded to your request.
Yours sincerely
Mike McIlraith A/Superintendent Arms Service Delivery Group
