Clarke Gayford
Matahiwi made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police
The request was successful.
From: Matahiwi
Dear New Zealand Police,
In May 2018 the then Commissioner of Police issued a public media statement saying that “Mr Gayford is not and has not been the subject of any police inquiry, nor has he been charged in relation to any matter.”
[Allegations removed by FYI administrator]
Does NZ Police hold any information that means they could not, at the current time, issue a further statement confirming that “Mr Gayford is not and has not been the subject of any police inquiry, nor has he been charged in relation to any matter”?
Thanks
Yours faithfully,
Sarah
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
The Police Ministerial Services mailbox will not be monitored on Monday 7
February 2022. For any matters of extreme urgency, please contact Mathew
Gordon on 022 4568489.
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe Sarah,
I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act (OIA) request below, received by New Zealand Police on 7 February 2022.
Your request is being actioned pursuant to the OIA. You can expect a response to your request on or before 7 March 2022.
Kind regards, Dylan
Ministerial Services PNHQ
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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Kia ora Sarah,
Apologies for the delay in responding to your request for information.
Due to an administrative error your request has been misdirected. Your
request has been assigned to the correct workgroup and Police are working
on providing you with a response as soon as possible.
Ngā mihi Dylan
Ministerial Services PNHQ
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JR left an annotation ()
The requester can now complain directly to the Ombudsman due to the lack of response.
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From: CURTIS, Melina
New Zealand Police
Kia ora Sarah
I am contacting you about your OIA to Police in relation to Clarke Gayford
where you asked:
“In May 2018 the then Commissioner of Police issued a public media
statement saying that “Mr Gayford is not and has not been the subject of
any police inquiry, nor has he been charged in relation to any matter.”
Currently there are significant number of rumours, supposedly supported by
eye witness accounts of a range of reputable people, that Mr Gayford is
either on electronic monitoring or in prison. The rumours often allude to
this being related to drug or sexual offences. Does NZ Police hold any
information that means they could not, at the current time, issue a
further statement confirming that “Mr Gayford is not and has not been the
subject of any police inquiry, nor has he been charged in relation to any
matter”?
Police released a statement to Newshub earlier this week on the same
matter, which can be found in the article linked below:
[1]https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zeala...
I have also copied the relevant part here for you:
Police have also responded to the rumours, releasing a statement to
Newshub this week saying that while they don't respond to queries asking
if certain people are under investigation, "on this occasion we can say
that Mr Gayford is not and has not been the subject of any police inquiry,
nor has he been charged in relation to any matter".
I hope that this is sufficient to answer your query. If it is, would you
please withdraw your OIA?
Thanks very much
Kind regards
Melina
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Tori left an annotation ()
That statement from the police was made in 2018 and is just being resued 4yrs later
Bruce left an annotation ()
That may well be the same statement because the false rumours from 4 years ago are the same as the false rumours now. Kudos to the Police for not wasting a second more on theses responses than was necessary.
Rosemary Keay left an annotation ()
Good on the police, it was a rubbish post back then & it still it. It's so easy to prove where he was back then & no one has to answer to this or any other pathetic accusations.
Themanns left an annotation ()
They didn't answer but only referred to a media statement and asked to withdraw the request. You're working really hard to keep the rumours going.
Chris Fredricks left an annotation ()
If OIA hasn't been withdrawn, the Police remain non-compliant with the act.
Paydn$$ left an annotation ()
https://youtu.be/AWQ_8Hoe-Z0 Yous say one thing she dose another ???!
Nosy Parker left an annotation ()
So the Police refer you to an article where their statement to Newshub is, but there is no actual dated proof of said statement. NZ Police should be providing you with proof of the statement being sent to Newshub with the date clearly showing when it was sent. As the wording is exactly the same as the statement four years ago. I would not withdraw the request, i would complain to the Ombudsman and again ask NZ Police for the dated proof of their latest statement in response to these rumours.
Mick left an annotation ()
The problem with the police not revealing the answer to this request is adding fuel to the fire. There has been information from a reliable source that indeed gaylord is up on more drug charges and has name suppression,,,,the public are just wanting verification on that, with yes or no. Not reference to a news paper release from 4 years ago. This is how the official information act works and why it exists. If there is a rumour the PM lives with a drug dealer that should be public information as she supposedly works for new zealander's.
Tony Millar left an annotation ()
I’m not sure that a statement reported by newshub is actually official information. The actual press release issued on a police letterhead and dated, along with a point of contact would be.
I remain ‘interested’ whether it is Customs, not Police, working within the Customs Act and using their own powers of arrest and prosecution that have been undertaking such investigations and enforcement?
Kelly M left an annotation ()
A link to a non-sourced newshub article does not fulfil the official information request. Providing the statement, dated and naming the authorising officer is required if that is what is to be relied on as answering the question. Newshub is not the Police, it is for the police to provide their statement given to Newshub if it clarifies this is not in reference to past circumstance but is current to the day or issue a new one that answers the question. It is apparent that Newshub were provided the old statement from 2018, their request would make an interesting read as well, these are not the “same” rumours, these are new based on a new case. The more evasive you are the more it appears to be true. Release a statement that is current from NZ police so that if it is a lie you can’t hide behind Newshub.
Tony Millar left an annotation ()
I just went through the Police media and didn’t see a re-released or updated statement during the Feb-Mar timeframe. Is it reasonable to assume that our Police Force is lying by omission?
RM left an annotation ()
I think you should be asking more specific questions that only require a Yes/No answer. That way the Police can't skirt around them and, when the truth comes out, it will be obvious that they have lied and are in breach of the Act. Questions like, "Has he been on remand this year?", "Has he been in Rimutaka Prison, Upper Hutt, this year?"
Danny left an annotation ()
It’s pretty obvious she’s making sure it doesn’t get out, just like this little gem has been hiding away on Twitter!!
https://mobile.twitter.com/k_bee5/status...
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JR left an annotation ()
The NZ Police have not replied. They are in violation of the Act, the have not responded in the 20 days. Nor have they extended the timeframe.
We will acknowledge your request and are required by law to give you our decision on your request as soon as possible and no later than 20 working days after we receive your request (unless an extension is made). If we are releasing information to you, we will do so without undue delay.
https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-servic...
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