10 May 2022
Sebastian
[FYI request #18760 email]
Ref: OIA-2021/22-1067
Dear Sebastian
Official Information Act request relating to ODESC meeting on 17 February 2022
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 3 March 2022.
You requested:
ONE: Copies of the agenda and minutes of all ODESC meetings held on this topic (the
February 2022 protests at Parliament).
TWO: Copies of all reports, briefings or other items presented at these meetings; and
all briefings for Ministers produced by this ODESC grouping
THREE: If a Watch Group was established, I would like to request copies of the
agenda and minutes of all Watch Group meetings, and all reports and advice this
Watch Group produced for ODESC”
The time frame for responding to your request was extended under section 15A of the Act by
20 working days because consultations were needed before a decision could be made on
the request. Following this extension, I am now in a position to respond.
The only ODESC meeting chaired by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
(DPMC) in response to the protests at parliament was held on 17 February 2022, with
subsequent inter-agency meetings led by the New Zealand Police and not DPMC.
The minutes from this meeting and a briefing to the Prime Minster on the events of the
meeting are withheld in full under section 9(2)(ba)(ii) of the Act as the release of this
information would be damaging to the public interest.
As you may be aware, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has commenced an
independent investigation and review of the policing of the occupation on and around
Parliament grounds.
Details of the scope of the Review are available on the IPCA’s website:
www.ipca.govt.nz/Site/publications-and-media/2022-media-releases/2022-mar-24-
investigation-review-occupation-parliament.aspx
You will note this scope includes engagement with national agencies to develop and execute
operational plans, Police planning and preparation of its response, and Police decision-
making processes.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4513266
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
Whilst this Review is underway, information relating to the issues under investigation and
review is expected to be the subject of examination by the IPCA under its powers of
investigation under the IPCA Act 1988. With this Review commenced, there is a strong public
interest in allowing these matters to be considered in the round by the IPCA.
In making my decision, I have taken the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of the
Act into account.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
This response will not be published on DPMC’s website.
Yours sincerely
Marika Hughes
Acting Deputy Chief Executive
National Security Group
4513266
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