19 August 2021
John Luke
[FYI request #16222 email]
Tēnā koe John
Your Official Information Act request OIA2122-0080
Thank you for your further email of 27 July 2021 requesting, under the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act), the following information regarding a proposed Ministerial Ethnic
Communities Advisory Group (MECAG):
“…the name of agencies you sought nominations from and how you ask for the
nominations? The copy of these communications- such as email would be helpful.
Also, since the new Ministry has been established, are there any future communication
or discussion around this Advisory committee? Further, has the new Ministry has any
future plan in setting up any new committee/ board etc?”
As noted in a previous letter to you from the Office of Ethnic Communities (OEC), dated
5 October 2020, the then Minister for Ethnic Communities approached Ministerial
colleagues for nominations of members to a proposed MECAG by way of a letter in late
2019. However, a MECAG was never formally established.
Regarding Part 1 of your request, although recommended candidates for the proposed
MECAG were provided by several Ministers and agencies, the Ministry for Ethnic
Communities does not hold a record of all agencies approached for nominations. I am
therefore declining this part of your request under section 18(e) of the Act.
Regarding Part 2 of your request, there have been no communications or discussions about
establishing a MECAG since the Ministry’s establishment on 1 July 2021. This year, the
Ministry will be developing its long-term strategy and work programme with input from
communities. Any forums for community guidance and support will be considered as part of
this process.
You have the right, under section 28(1)(a) of the Act, to seek an investigation and review of
this response by the Office of the Ombudsman. You can do so by contacting the Office of the
Ombudsman a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by cal ing 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi
Anusha Guler
Executive Director – Operations
www.ethniccommunities.govt.nz