29 August 2019
Andrew Crow
[FYI request #10823 email]
Dear Mr Crow
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA),
received on 26 July 2019. You requested the following:
It has been shown that Air travel is a large contribution to global climate
change.
I am keen to get measurements or numbers to show what government is
doing about this.
Under OIA I request:
1. Total number of airline tickets purchased in 18/19 financial year.
2. Breakdown by domestic vs international.
3. Any internal plans to reduce airline travel.
4. Job titles of the top 5 travellers.
5. Any other information that would help the public understand the
departments use of airline travel.
On 6 August 2019, we sought clarification on your definition of ‘tickets’ for parts 1 and 4
of your request. On 9 August 2019, you confirmed that:
For both #1 and #4 I am happy for whatever is easiest for you. So long as your
response makes it clear about how you have defined it.
Question 1 & 2
I have interpreted “tickets” to mean full return trips including any connections. The table
below sets out the number of airline tickets purchased through our travel agent in the
2018/19 financial year.
Domestic tickets
14,893
International tickets
182
Total tickets
15,075
Page 1 of 3
Ref: 20OIA1024
IN CONFIDENCE
Occasionally a staff member may book air travel directly and have this cost reimbursed by
Inland Revenue. As the air travel costs are included along with change fees, baggage fees
and other charges under the air travel code, identifying the total number of tickets booked
by exception would require manually reviewing each transaction. These exceptions are not
material to the total number of flights.
Accordingly, I refuse this part of your request under section 18(f) of the OIA, as a
substantial amount of time would be required to review each transaction.
Question 3
Our travel agent, Orbit, currently provides reporting on our air and ground (car rental and
airport taxis) kilometres travelled. For the year ended June 2019, Inland Revenue’s
international air travel reduced by 18% (657,194 kms) from the previous year, however
domestic travel increased by 30%, giving a 17% net increase of 2,280,955 kms of air
travel.
As part of the All of Government Generation 2 Travel Management Services contract which
commenced in June 2019, Orbit has committed to deliver a 30% carbon emission reduction
for government agencies over the first three years (Y1 15%, Y2 10%, Y3 5%) with 5%
per year thereafter. The contract has the potential to run to 2028 if all Rights of Renewal
are invoked – an overall carbon emission reduction on our travel profile of 60% by 2028.
Orbit is currently in the process of developing the full Carbon Emissions reporting as per
the new contract requirements in conjunction with the Ministry of Business, Innovation
and Employment and the Ministry for the Environment.
Question 4
Below are the job titles of the top five travellers in the 2018/19 financial year based on
the number of airline tickets:
•
Team Lead
•
Group Lead
•
Group Manager
•
Business Transformation Manager
•
Intelligence & Insights Specialist
Question 5
Inland Revenue is currently rolling out a ‘Working Smarter’ initiative. Working Smarter is
an approach to how we work – improvements that can be made to our tools, environments,
policies, and processes are all being considered to make sure we work in the smartest way
possible. This includes encouraging meetings to be scheduled with virtual meeting options.
This ensures that teams are more connected no matter where they are physically located.
While we encourage our people to choose virtual options, there are times where travelling
will be the most suitable way of working.
Page 2 of 3
Ref: 20OIA1024
IN CONFIDENCE
Right of review
If you disagree with my decision on your OIA request, you can ask an Inland Revenue
review officer to review my decision. To ask for an internal review, please email the
Commissioner of Inland Revenue at: [email address].
Alternatively, under section 28(3) of the OIA, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to investigate and review my decision. You can contact the office of the Ombudsman by
email at: [email address].
Thank you for your request. I trust that the information provided is of assistance to you.
Yours sincerely
Lara Ariell
Chief Financial Officer
Page 3 of 3
Ref: 20OIA1024
IN CONFIDENCE
