Hon Dr Megan Woods
MP for Wigram
Minister of Housing
Minister of Energy and Resources
Minister of Research, Science and Innovation
Associate Minister of Finance
RS Grant
18.JAN 2021
fyi-req uest-17782-4062a 7 c1@req uests. fyi. org. nz
Ref: OIA21-292
Dear Richard
On 1 December 2021 you requested the following under the Official Information Act 1982
(The Act):
"Under the guidance for public sector workplaces on the business.govt.no website
(https://www. business. govt. nzlcovid-19/covid-19-protection-frameworklservices/) in
"red" regions "Workplaces are open with working from home encouraged if
appropriate to the workplace".
This request for information relates to how agencies are treating staff who are
located in "red" regions and who are able to work adequately from home. Please
can you advise which of the agencies for which you are responsible (including
Crown Research Institutes) are encouraging such staff to work from home, and
which are not?"
I expect all agencies to adhere to the policy and operational guidelines established in the
Covid-19 Protection Framework Protocols (Traffic Light System). I expect the agencies
with staff located in a "red" region who are able to work adequately from home to
encourage their staff to do so. Any staff located in a "red" region who are unable to work
adequately from home may work on site by agreement with their organisation
management, with appropriate protocols in place, in line with the operational guidelines
established in the Covid-19 Protection Framework Protocols (Traffic Light System).
Research Science and Innovation
There are 8 agencies in scope of your request: Callaghan Innovation; AgResearch Limited;
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited; Manaaki Whenua
Landcare Research Limited; The Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited;
The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited; New Zealand Forest Research
Institute Limited (Scion) Limited; Plant & Food Research Limited. All of the identified
agencies have confirmed they are committed to adhering to the policy and operational
guidelines established in the Covid-19 Protection Framework Protocols (Traffic Light
System).
Associate Finance
NZ Post has issued internally some guidance around operating within the different traffic
light settings. Under this guidance people working at corporate sites in "red" regions are
encouraged to work from home.
Private Bag 18041. Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
+64 4 817 8705 I [Megan Woods request email] I beehive.govt.nz
