133 Molesworth Street 
PO Box 5013 
Wellington 6140 
New Zealand 
T+64 4 496 2000 
 
1 March 2021 
 
 
Mr Evatt 
 
By email:    
[FYI request #14778 email] 
Ref:  
 
H202102074 
 
 
Dear Mr Evatt 
 
Response to your request for official information 
 
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 26 February 
2021 for: 
 
“I would like to know if the SARS-Cov-2 PCR testing being conducted in New Zealand is 
qualitative or quantitative. Or, if it is some combination of the two, or has differed over time 
(since PCR testing fro SARS-Cov-2 began in NZ), please elaborate on what the situation 
is.” 
 
COVID-19 PCR testing conducted in New Zealand is qualitative in that it provides a yes/no 
result: COVID-19 is either detected (positive test result) or not (negative test result). No changes 
have been made since testing began in New Zealand. 
 
I trust this information fulfils your request. 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 of Health website at: www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-
releases/responses-official-information-act-requests.  
 
Yours sincerely 
 
 
 
 
Kelvin Watson 
Group Manager COVID-19 Immunisation, Testing and Supply 
COVID-19 Health System Response 
 

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