A decision was made in 2012 by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to make changes to its policy on the issue of NZ Passports – changes that appear contrary to the passports Act 1992.
Diane Sparkes made this Official Information request to Department of Internal Affairs
This request has an unknown status. We're waiting for Diane Sparkes to read a recent response and update the status.
From: Diane Sparkes
Dear Department of Internal Affairs,
There are four questions for the (DIA) to answer.
1. By what process did the (DIA) take in deciding that self identification of gender would have any legality in NZ law?
2. In the (DIA) 2012 policy review – why was the act not amended to bring legality to that policy change?
3. As the Passport Act 1992 has never shown any intention to exclude the court process in favour of a self identifying declaration by the applicant – by what means does it justify its policy change as it cannot be seen as being supported in law.
4. It would appear that a number of applicants have already been supplied with passports using the self ID process.
(a) It is asked that the (DIA) confirm that the holder of such a passport with a self identifying statement showing their sex as female – when that has not been confirmed by the court process, that it is a true statement.
(b) That they will not legally by any court - be held accountable for holding a fraudulent document at the border in some other country – should their true anatomical sex be seen as different when viewed by modern whole body scanners that can reveal the anatomy of the human body in very significant detail. For example, showing male genitalia when the passport sex states female. Or naturally that the opposite.
Please provide answers to requested information via the FYI website, providing copies of all relevant communications documentation that have taken place. Both prior to and following the date this department policy saw the need to review its policy and subsequent change, together with any additional documentation as is appropriate in order for a satisfactory explanation to be understood.
Yours faithfully,
Diane Sparkes
From: OIA
Department of Internal Affairs
Kia ora Diane
Thank you for your OIA request to the Department of Internal Affairs
(included with this email).
The Department will provide its response to your request as soon as
practicable and within twenty working days. The 20^th working day is 7
May 2019
Please note that in cases where the Department’s response provides
information that is identified to be of general public interest, the
response may also be published on the Department of Internal Affairs
website. If the Department publishes its response to your OIA request,
all personal information, including your name and contact details, will be
removed.
Ngā Mihi
Rebecca
Rebecca Kearns | Principal Governance Advisor | Governance, Risk and
Assurance |
Strategy and Governance Branch
The Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
[1]www.dia.govt.nz
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From: SDO Official Correspondence
Department of Internal Affairs
Hi Diane,
Please find attached a response to your recent request for information.
Regards, Emma
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