Hon Michael Wood
Minister of Transport
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
16 March 2022
MOIA22-296
P Taylor
[FYI request #18852 email]
Dear P Taylor,
Thank you for your Official Information request of 13 March for:
“I would like to request all information accessible by the office, or offices, of you, Mr
Michael Wood, that lead you to draw those conclusions about the character of the
protestors. Such examples of the characterizations you made include: "a river of
filth", "a river of anti-Semitism", "a river of islamophobia", "a river of genuine fascism",
and "emergent and dangerous far-right movement".
To clarify this request, I am asking for all information available to any of your offices,
including communications, about the protest that occurred in and around the
parliament grounds up until, and including, 16 February 2022. In particular, I would
like all information that indicate the presence of the following at the protest, or
discuss the following in regards to the protest:
1) Anti-Semitism,
2) Islamophobia,
3) Fascism,
4) and an emergent and dangerous far-right movement.”
In my capacity as Minister for Transport and Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, I
do not hold any information in the scope of this request. Therefore your request is refused
under section 18(e) as the information does not exist.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Hon Michael Wood
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
Minister of Transport