4 May 2022
Mr I Stevenson
By email: [FYI request #19020 email]
Tēnā koe Mr I Stevenson
Official information request regarding vaccine mandate at Victoria
University of Wellington
I refer to your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act)
dated 31 March 2022 regarding vaccine mandates at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria
University of Wellington (the University).
Information relating to the implementation and discontinuation of the vaccine mandate
at the University is currently, or will be soon available on the University’s website at
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/covid-19/settings-and-mandates/vaccine-mandate. Further
information relating to the University’s vaccine mandate will be posted here as it becomes
available. A total of 378 staff and contractors and 1184 students not in halls of residence
have informed the University of positive Covid status as of 28 April 2022.
Information relating to the vaccine mandate in halls of residence is available at
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/accommodation/halls/applying. A total of 1239 cases have been
recorded in halls of residence of which 13 are currently active as of 27 April 2022.
Information relating to the Ministry of Health’s advice on COVID 19 vaccines is publicly
available on their website
at https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus.
Information about COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in New Zealand, including
vaccine ingredients, is publicly available
at https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-
coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccines-available-new-zealand.
Information about individual staff members is withheld in accordance with section
9(2)(g)(i) of the Act in order to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through
the protection of officers and employees from improper pressure or harassment.
Legal advice relating to the University’s vaccine mandate is withheld in accordance with
s9(2)(h) of the Act in order to maintain legal professional privilege.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the
decisions made regarding this request. Information about how to make a complaint is
available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me at
[VUW request email].
I apologise for the delay in providing this response to you and advise of your right to
complain to the Ombudsman regarding this delay.
Ngā mihi nui
Blair Doherty
Senior Advisor, Official Information and Privacy
Legal Services
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington