133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
Robin Benson
By email:
[FYI request #14692 email]
Ref:
H202101569
Dear Robin Benson
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health (the Ministry) on 18 February 2021 seeking the following information:
“Please provide any and all communications whether internal or external in connection
with changes in PCR test Ct (Cycle threshold) as used by the NZ government in the
context of Covid19 testing.”
The Ct value is determined by the test manufacturer and cannot be altered by the laboratory
performing the test.
This number has not been changed by the manufacturers since COVID-19 testing commenced
in New Zealand. The manufacturers who develop the tests do not receive recommendations,
stipulations or guidance around the number of cycles from the New Zealand Government.
As such, this request is refused under section 18(e) as the information requested does not exist.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests. Yours sincerely
Dr Kelvin Watson
Group Manager, COVID-19 Testing and Supply
COVID-19 Health System Response