Office of the Vice-Chancellor
The University of Waikato
Phone +64 7 838 4665
Private Bag 3105
www.waikato.ac.nz
Hamilton 3240
New Zealand
31 March 2020
Elliott Harris
To: [FYI request #12369 email]
Dear Elliott
Official information request for information on the University’s pastoral care practices and processes
I refer to your official information request dated 3 March 2020 asking for the below information:
“Please provide a summary of how the University's pastoral care practices and processes have
been altered or changed in order to ensure its compliance with the Education (Pastoral Care of
Domestic Tertiary Students) Interim Code of Practice 2019.
If the University considered that it was already compliant with the Education (Pastoral Care of
Domestic Tertiary Students) Interim Code of Practice 2019, what practices, processes and or
services does the University provide that enable it to believe so?
How have individual contracts with students, within an accommodation context or otherwise
been changed to as to recognise the University’s obligations under the Education (Pastoral Care
of Domestic Tertiary Students) Interim Code of Practice 2019?
What additional pastoral care systems (if any) have been put in place for 2020 in the
accommodation context?
How many complaints are made on average per year against the University under the Education
(Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016? (The details of the specific
complaints need not be outlined)”
The Official Information Act requires that we advise you of our decision no later than 20 working days after
the day we received your request. Unfortunately, given the current State of National Emergency relating to
the Covid-19 virus, it will not be possible to meet that deadline. On this basis, we write to notify you of an
extension of time to make our decision, to 1 May 2020.
This extension of time is necessary because the University campus has been closed in line with the Alert
Level 4 requirements. This means that it is difficult to obtain the information you have requested. Your
request requires the input of multiple staff members. Currently, it is difficult for us to properly consult with
staff within our organisation that may hold the relevant information.
Given the current situation, a proper decision and response cannot reasonably be made to you within the
original time limit. We apologise for this inconvenience, but we are in a situation that is causing unavoidable
delays.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
However, we do request your patience and understanding in what is a difficult time for us al .
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me directly.
Yours sincerely
Duanna Fowler
Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor
