Thank you for your Official Information Act request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.

Please be advised that Monday 24 January 2022 is Wellington Anniversary
Day and the Ministry of Health Office will be closed and not responding to
any requests. The Ministry of Health will reopen on Tuesday 25 January
2022.

In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
than 20 working days. If you'd like to calculate the timeframe, you can
use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. This
means we may take some time in responding to your request. The Ministry
regularly updates information about the COVID-19 situation and publishes
OIA responses considered to be of public interest:
[2]https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

Please also refer to the Unite Against Covid-19 website for copies of
papers, minutes, and key advice for the decisions the Government has made
relating to COVID-19.

Sometimes we may need to clarify aspects of a request. You can expect to
hear from us soon if that is the case here.

Ngā mihi,

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [3][email address]

 

 

 

 

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References

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2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. mailto:[email address]

Kia ora Stella,

 

Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202200507.

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

 

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.

 

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [2][email address]

 

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Tçnâ koe Stella 

 

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) on 24 January 2022 for information related to the use of kawakawa
balm to treat a sore throat caused by COVID-19. Specifically, you
requested: 

 

“1. Any medical evidence such as studies or scientific/medical review held
by the Ministry of Health or any other agency, body or Ministry, in
particular the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

2. If there is no such evidence I request the Government Policy that
governs the release of medical advice to the public.  

3. Documents or official policy that would allow DPMC to write such
material, noting that the DPMC was the author of the above document. 

4, Any advice received by the DPMC and particularly Rory McKenzie of that
Office to support the inclusion of Kawakawa Balm as a response to a sore
throat caused by a Covid infection. 

5. Disclosure as to Rory McKenzie's formal qualifications and those
qualifications of any public servant who has made written advice in public
communications as to such treatment.  

6. Any correspondence with producers of Kawakawa Balms as to the use of
the Balm for such treatment. 

7. Any report, communications, policy, consideration or direction
regarding the ability of beneficiaries to access this treatment with
respect to cost.” 

 

The Ministry of Health does not hold any information relating to parts 3,
4, and 5 of your request; however, I have been advised that this
information is held by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
(DPMC). For this reason, I have decided to transfer these parts of your
request to DPMC under section 14(b)(i) of the Act. You can expect a
response from DPMC in due course.   

 

Part 1 of your request has also been partially transferred to DPMC for
response. You can expect a response from DPMC in due course. The Ministry
of Health will respond with any information that it holds in scope of part
1 of your request, as well as parts 6 and 7. 

 

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: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 

 

Ngâ mihi 

 

OIA Services 

Government Services 

Office of the Director-General 

Ministry of Health 

E: [2][email address] 

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References

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1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]

[IN-CONFIDENCE]

 

Kia ora

 

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 which
was received on 01/02/2022, attached. A response will be provided in
accordance with the Act.

 

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) may publish the
response to your Official Information Act (OIA) request.

 

When you are provided with a response to this request, you will be
informed about whether the response to your OIA request will be published.
If DPMC does publish the response to your OIA request, personal
information, including your name and contact details, will be removed.
This publication process does not apply to extension letters or transfers.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E    [1][email address]
 
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
 
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.

 

 

References

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1. mailto:[email address]

Kia ora Stella

 

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on 24 January 2022 regarding
kawakawa balm. You asked: 

 

“My requests are focused on the advice to treat a sore throat caused by a
Covid infection with Kawakawa Balm and are for the following: 

1. Any medical evidence such as studies or scientific/medical review held
by the Ministry of Health or any other agency, body or Ministry, in
particular the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

2. If there is no such evidence I request the Government Policy that
governs the release of medical advice to the public.  

3. Documents or official policy that would allow DPMC to write such
material, noting that the DPMC was the author of the above document. 

4, Any advice received by the DPMC and particularly Rory McKenzie of that
Office to support the inclusion of Kawakawa Balm as a response to a sore
throat caused by a Covid infection. 

5. Disclosure as to Rory McKenzie's formal qualifications and those
qualifications of any public servant who has made written advice in public
communications as to such treatment.  

6. Any correspondence with producers of Kawakawa Balms as to the use of
the Balm for such treatment. 

7. Any report, communications, policy, consideration or direction
regarding the ability of beneficiaries to access this treatment with
respect to cost.” 

 

On 1 February 2022, parts 3 to 5 of your request were transferred to the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) under section 14(b)(i)
of the Act. You can expect a response from DPMC in due course. I will
respond to the remaining parts of your request in turn. 

 

1. Any medical evidence such as studies or scientific/medical review held
by the Ministry of Health or any other agency, body or Ministry, in
particular the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

 

On 1 February 2022, this part of your request was partially transferred to
DPMC under section 14(b)(i) of the Act and you can expect a response from
DPMC in due course. 

 

The Ministry has not identified any information it holds in scope of this
part of your request.  

 

2. If there is no such evidence I request the Government Policy that
governs the release of medical advice to the public.  

 

This part of your request is refused under section 18(e) of the Act as the
information requested does not exist. Please note that the Ministry is not
able to respond on behalf of all of Government. 

 

6. Any correspondence with producers of Kawakawa Balms as to the use of
the Balm for such treatment. 

7. Any report, communications, policy, consideration or direction
regarding the ability of beneficiaries to access this treatment with
respect to cost. 

 

These parts of your request are 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: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[2]Ministry of Health information releases

[3]Unite against COVID-19

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References

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1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. https://covid19.govt.nz/

 

 

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Kia ora koe,

 

Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E    [1][email address]
 
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
 
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.

 

 

References

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1. mailto:[email address]