133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
Nigel Gray
By email: [FYI request #12827 email]
Ref:
H202003219
Dear Mr Gray
Partial transfer of request for official information to all New Zealand District Health
Boards
Thank you for your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act),
received on 12 May 2020 for:
“Given that Electroconsulsive Treatment has been used as a method of torture historically
in New Zealand, can you please inform me of the precise number of these devices in NZ
hospitals in present time?
Given that a senior psychiatrist. Dr Selwyn Leeks, thoroughly trained and qualified by NZ
Govt standards. used one of these devices to torture the genitalia of young boys, and that
use of this device has also been declared and categorized as a form of torture, on what
evidence (not basis but evidence and testing) is it continued as "therapy" in New
Zealand?”
The Ministry of Health (the Ministry) does not hold the information you have requested in part
one of your request. The Ministry has been advised that part one of your request is more closely
associated with the functions of each of the 20 New Zealand district health boards (DHBs)
respectively.
As a result, I have decided to transfer part one of your request to each New Zealand DHB under
section 14 of the Act. You can expect a response from each DHB in due course.
The Ministry will response separately to part two of your request. You can expect a response to
your request in due course.
You have the right, under section 28 of the Act to ask the Ombudsman to review
my decision to transfer your request for information.
Yours sincerely
Zoe Royden
Acting Manager OIA Services
Office of the Director-General