Download original attachment
(PDF file)
This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Stats NZ's processing of a previous OIA request and its search for the information requested'.
From:
Laura Christen
To:
Stallah Valaau
Subject:
RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Date:
Wednesday, 9 March 2022 3:06:52 pm
Attachments:
image001.png
image002.png
image003.png
image004.png
image005.png
image006.png
Thanks for chasing me up Stallah, and confirming (as discussed) that I can’t offer any help
tracking down these documents (sorry!)
Ngā mihi
Laura
From: Stallah Valaau <[email address]> 
Sent: Monday, 7 March 2022 4:01 pm
To: Laura Christen <[email address]>
Subject: FW: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Hi Laura,
Hope all is well and sorry to interrupt your day.
I have this OIA for Sophia and I have been working on for info that relates to DEAG. Just
wondering if you could help me with the last bits of info still missing at this point.
a. Meg hasn’t been able to find any records of the minutes from the DEAG’s meeting on 3
December 2020 (see 2 below). I wonder if you have access or have any records of the
minutes for this meeting.
b. Scott is also requesting ‘A copy of the discussion paper written for Customs NZ on the topic
of security vs. transparency’ (see 3 below). We haven’t been able to locate this paper but
came across this after a quick google search  https://fyi.org.nz/request/18491-stats-nz-
discussion-paper-regarding-the-dimensions-of-security-vs-transparency
https://fyi.org.nz/request/17682/response/69515/attach/4/2020%2005%2015%20RoM
%20Stats%20NZ%20NZSIS.pdf I’ve written to Custom requesting a copy of this paper
(hopefully they can) but wanted to ask in case you have a copy or can provide any
helpful details.
Thank you for your help and look forward to hearing from you.
Ngā mihi
Stallah Valaau (pronouns: he/him/his)
Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and Chief
Executive
Kaitohutohu – Tari O Te Kaitautauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua | Stats NZ | Tatauranga
Aotearoa



P O Box 2922, Wellington 6011 | ddi: +64 4 931 4838 |mob: +64 21 575 528 | stats.govt.nz
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
From: Sophia Collinson <[email address]> 
Sent: Monday, 7 March 2022 12:35 PM
To: Stallah Valaau <[email address]>
Cc: Kate Satterthwaite <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Kia ora Stallah, 
Hoping you had a restful weekend and are feeling refreshed!
In response to your queries:
I suggest asking Laura whether she’s aware of any records of the minutes from the DEAG’s
meeting on 3 December 2020, as she was the relevant Senior Advisor at the time. I’d also
suggest checking with Tennille. I can’t see anything in our files or on the internet
With respect to A copy of the discussion paper written for Customs NZ on the topic of
security vs. transparency, hopefully Customs can assist with providing a copy, but failing
that I’d again loop in with Laura and see if she knows anything, or Tennille. I can’t find it
either!
According to the Vic uni website (accessible here: Nessa Lynch Profile | Te Herenga Waka
— Victoria University of Wellington (wgtn.ac.nz)), Nessa’s contact email is:
[email address]
I’m tied up with a number of things this week, but if you’re having no luck after trying the above,
let me know and I’ll see what I can do!
Sophia
Sophia Collinson (pronouns: she/her)
Senior Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and
Chief Executive
Kaitohutohu Matua – Tari o Te Kaitatauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | stats.govt.nz | +64 27 245 7671
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come






Sophia
From: Stallah Valaau <[email address]> 
Sent: Monday, 28 February 2022 8:51 am
To: Sophia Collinson <[email address]>
Subject: FW: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Morenā Sophia,
Section 9 (2) (a)
So sorry I didn’t manage to get this to you on Friday. I have summarised below the approach I
would take to this – taking onboard Meg’s recommendations and the information we have.
Ideally, I would appreciate if you can have a look and perhaps let me know your thoughts on
each of the points below.
In terms of our deadline, this one is due tomorrow but there may be more documents we need
to locate still, as well as teams/individuals we need to consult if that is the case. For this reason,
we would need to extend our deadline for at least another week or so. This will provide us with
sufficient time to have everything finalised so we don’t need to rush.
Please come back to me once you have a chance to have a look. I’ve highlighted all of my
comments in light blue below.
Stay safe and take care! Talk to you soon.
Stallah Valaau (pronouns: he/him/his)
Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and Chief
Executive
Kaitohutohu – Tari O Te Kaitautauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua | Stats NZ | Tatauranga
Aotearoa
P O Box 2922, Wellington 6011 | ddi: +64 4 931 4838 |mob: +64 21 575 528 | stats.govt.nz
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
From: Meg Whitlow <[email address]> 
Sent: Wednesday, 23 February 2022 4:03 PM
To: Stallah Valaau <[email address]>; Sophia Collinson
<[email address]>; Tennille Maxey <[email address]>
Cc: Alessandro Aduso <[email address]>; Tom Lee <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group

Section 9 (2) (a)
3. A copy of the discussion paper written for Customs NZ on the topic of security vs.
transparency
I am not aware of the DEAG having met with Customs NZ and cannot find any material
indicating that they did. However, it is public that “Stats NZ had done some work with
Customs New Zealand and written a discussion paper regarding the dimensions of
security vs. transparency.” It will be good to release this document if it is located,
pending consultation with Customs NZ. However, I have not been able to locate the
relevant document. Is it possible that it could be saved in a location that I do not have
access to (noting that it may have sensitive content)?
a. I wonder if you know anything about the above paper (document) Meg is referring to. We
need to have a look at this document and make a judgement call if it’s in scope of this OIA
or not. If yes, we need to have a look to see if there is any information we need to
withhold or teams/individuals we need to consult.
4. A list of all discussion papers written by the group since its formation, including the title of
the paper, date it was published, and agency that the paper was written for (if any)
As far as I am aware, all discussion papers were published on the data.gov website.
There are two:
https://www.data.govt.nz/leadership/advisory-governance/data-ethics-advisory-
group/reports-commissioned-by-the-group/
Section 9 (2)(g)(i) 
a. Both discussion papers online look fine to me but I need to ask if you are aware of any
other?
b. I don’t see the report produced for the Digital Council being in scope of this OIA. You may
think otherwise and I would like to have your views on this. We may have to seek an
opinion from legal if we decide to release this document as part of this OIA.
Let me know if you need anything further or would like to discuss.
Thanks
Meg
From: Stallah Valaau <[email address]> 
Sent: Wednesday, 23 February 2022 3:04 PM
To: Meg Whitlow <[email address]>; Sophia Collinson
<[email address]>
Cc: Alessandro Aduso <[email address]>; Tennille Maxey
<[email address]>; Tom Lee <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group



Hi Meg,
Sorry for the slow response Section 9 (2) (a)
. Happy to have your
advice and all the info you can provide to help us pull together a response for this OIA. Alex will
be looped in as part of the sign-out process as obviously you will need to make sure you are
happy with everything.
This is now my focus for the rest of the afternoon and will let you know if I have any questions.
Kind regards
Stallah Valaau (pronouns: he/him/his)
Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and Chief
Executive
Kaitohutohu – Tari O Te Kaitautauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua | Stats NZ | Tatauranga
Aotearoa
P O Box 2922, Wellington 6011 | ddi: +64 4 931 4838 |mob: +64 21 575 528 | stats.govt.nz
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
From: Meg Whitlow <[email address]> 
Sent: Wednesday, 23 February 2022 1:36 PM
To: Stallah Valaau <[email address]>; Sophia Collinson
<[email address]>
Cc: Alessandro Aduso <[email address]>; Tennille Maxey
<[email address]>; Tom Lee <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Kia ora Sophia and Stallah
I am planning to send through an update shortly, but first it would be great to get confirmation
on the process i.e. whether it is expected that Alex approves my advice first, or he will be looped
in as part of the final sign out process.
Thanks!
Meg
From: Meg Whitlow 
Sent: Tuesday, 22 February 2022 11:51 AM
To: Stallah Valaau <[email address]>; Sophia Collinson
<[email address]>
Cc: Alessandro Aduso <[email address]>; Tennille Maxey
<[email address]>; Tom Lee <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Kia ora Sophia and Stallah
Further to my previous email, a few points to note/questions for your response:
1. Can you please confirm whether you need my help to simply find the documents, or also
need me to do any redactions.
2. In terms of the sign out process, can you please confirm whether Alex will need to sign out
any recommendations before being sent to the Little Office, or will you loop him in as part
of the final signout process (once Legal has been consulted etc)?
3. Regarding item 3, note that the discussion paper referenced does not appear to be linked
to DEAG, however it is public that this discussion paper exists, so I suggest we look into
releasing it (I am yet to locate this doc – please let me know if you have found it).
4.  Section 9 (2)(g)(i) 
Thanks
Meg
From: Stallah Valaau <[email address]> 
Sent: Friday, 18 February 2022 2:09 PM
To: Meg Whitlow <[email address]>; Sophia Collinson
<[email address]>
Cc: Alessandro Aduso <[email address]>; Tennille Maxey
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Thank you Meg for the update. If you can come back at some point early next week with
whatever else you can find (and any suggestion you may want to make), that would be
awesome. In the meantime, we will start the process with what we have and hopefully consult
relevant areas like legal in the middle of next week.
We will also have a look to see if we can locate some of the missing papers.
May you have a nice weekend and thank you once again for your help 
Stallah Valaau (pronouns: he/him/his)
Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and Chief



Executive
Kaitohutohu – Tari O Te Kaitautauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua | Stats NZ | Tatauranga
Aotearoa
P O Box 2922, Wellington 6011 | ddi: +64 4 931 4838 |mob: +64 21 575 528 | stats.govt.nz
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
From: Meg Whitlow <[email address]> 
Sent: Thursday, 17 February 2022 6:02 PM
To: Sophia Collinson <[email address]>; Stallah Valaau
<[email address]>
Cc: Alessandro Aduso <[email address]>; Tennille Maxey
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Kia ora Stallah and Sophia
Apologies for the delay in coming back on this one – I have been juggling various items. By way
of update, I have outlined below where I have got to on each item. I have further steps to
undertake but wanted to make sure everyone is in the loop on progress so far.
1. A copy of the Martin Jenkins review of the Data Ethics Advisory Group
The report was finalised in November 2020, and next steps for the Data Ethics Advisory
Group are still being considered within the context of broader initiatives relating to trust
and confidence in how government uses data.
The report includes names of individuals – I don’t think there are any issues in releasing
in full, however I will read the report more closely tomorrow to check (in case names
may need to be redacted under s 9 (g)(i)). Suggest that we advise Nyssa Lynch (as the
interim chair) that we have received this request and the report is being released.
2. Copies of the agendas and minutes of all meetings held since October 2020
As far as I can see, there has been only one meeting since this date – on 3 December
2020. 
3. A copy of the discussion paper written for Customs NZ on the topic of security vs.
transparency
From what I understand, all advice to agencies was published on the website. The
website does not include advice to customs, and I can’t find reference to this in any
other key docs associated with DEAG. From a quick google however, I have found that a
doc released under another OIA request includes  statement that “Stats NZ had done
some work with Customs New Zealand and written a discussion paper regarding the
dimensions of security vs. transparency.” – I assume that this is what the request is
based on, however it does not appear to relate to the Data Ethics Advisory Group (it is
under the item heading ‘Data Ethics Principles’. Relevant links from google search below:
https://fyi.org.nz/request/18491-stats-nz-discussion-paper-regarding-the-dimensions-of-
security-vs-transparency
https://fyi.org.nz/request/17682/response/69515/attach/4/2020%2005%2015%20RoM
%20Stats%20NZ%20NZSIS.pdf
I will continue to search tomorrow for any advice that DEAG prepared for customs
(however it doesn’t seem that there is any).
4. A list of all discussion papers written by the group since its formation, including the title of
the paper, date it was published, and agency that the paper was written for (if any)
As far as I am aware, all discussion papers were published on the data.gov website.
There are two:
https://www.data.govt.nz/leadership/advisory-governance/data-ethics-advisory-
group/reports-commissioned-by-the-group/
I think that the list on the website satisfies this request.
I hope that update is helpful. I will continue searching tomorrow and come back to you all with
what I find and thoughts on the scope of the request.
In terms of the process for responding, at what stage would engagement with Legal take place?
Let me know if you would like to discuss any of the above – happy to chat.
Thanks
Meg
From: Stallah Valaau <[email address]> 
Sent: Monday, 14 February 2022 3:18 PM
To: Meg Whitlow <[email address]>
Cc: Tennille Maxey <[email address]>; Alessandro Aduso
<[email address]>; Sophia Collinson <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Importance: High
Kia ora Meg,
Trust all is well on your side. Just a quick follow up on my colleague Sophia’s email re the
information we need for this OIA request. Our due date is coming up soon and we hope to have
time to consider and process the information before release. A quick update at this point of
where we are will be much appreciated.



Thanks for your help and please let us know if you have any questions.
 
Stallah Valaau (pronouns: he/him/his)
Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and Chief
Executive
Kaitohutohu – Tari O Te Kaitautauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua | Stats NZ | Tatauranga
Aotearoa
P O Box 2922, Wellington 6011 | ddi: +64 4 931 4838 |mob: +64 21 575 528 | stats.govt.nz
 
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
 
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
 
 
  
            
 
From: Sophia Collinson <[email address]> 
Sent: Wednesday, 9 February 2022 9:58 AM
To: Meg Whitlow <[email address]>
Cc: Tennille Maxey <[email address]>; Stallah Valaau
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
Kia ora Meg, 
Hoping you had a restful long weekend.
I’m getting in touch with you at Sandra’s suggestion about an OIA we have received seeking
information related to the Data Ethics Advisory Group. The original request is included in the
email thread below but I’ve reproduced it here for ease of reference:
I would like to make a request for the following information relating to the Stats NZ Data
Ethics Advisory Group:
 
ONE: A copy of the Martin Jenkins review of the Data Ethics Advisory Group  
 
TWO: Copies of the agendas and minutes of all meetings held since October 2020 –any
information
 
THREE: A copy of the discussion paper written for Customs NZ on the topic of security vs.
transparency –
 
FOUR: A list of all discussion papers written by the group since its formation, including the
title of the paper, date it was published, and agency that the paper was written for (if
any)



 
Grateful if you were please able to loop in with myself and my colleague @Stallah Valaau on your
view on what might fit within the scope of this OIA, e.g. that has not been released publicly to
date.
Happy to chat any time if that would be helpful.
Sophia
Sophia Collinson (pronouns: she/her)
Senior Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and
Chief Executive
Kaitohutohu Matua – Tari o Te Kaitatauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | stats.govt.nz | +64 27 245 7671
 
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
 
  
 
 
From: Sandra Laws <[email address]> 
Sent: Friday, 4 February 2022 10:54 am
To: Sophia Collinson <[email address]>; Tennille Maxey
<[email address]>
Cc: Stallah Valaau <[email address]>; Kate Satterthwaite
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
Hi Sophia,
I believe Meg Whitlow was across this work, and may be in a position to advise on the nature
and scope of the OIA.
 
I know Tennille will be across this also.
 
S
 
Sandra Laws (pronouns: she/her/hers)
Senior Policy Advisor – System Policy
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | stats.govt.nz
DDI +64 -4-931 4876
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
 
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
 
From: Sophia Collinson <[email address]> 



Sent: Friday, 4 February 2022 10:47 am
To: Tennille Maxey <[email address]>; Sandra Laws <[email address]>
Cc: Stallah Valaau <[email address]>; Kate Satterthwaite
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
Kia ora ano, 
I see that a fair bit is publicly available: Data Ethics Advisory Group - data.govt.nz.
Happy to chat through what other information might fit within the scope of the request.
Sophia
Sophia Collinson (pronouns: she/her)
Senior Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and
Chief Executive
Kaitohutohu Matua – Tari o Te Kaitatauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | stats.govt.nz | +64 27 245 7671
 
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
 
  
 
From: Sophia Collinson 
Sent: Friday, 4 February 2022 10:20 am
To: Tennille Maxey <[email address]>; Sandra Laws <[email address]>
Cc: Stallah Valaau <[email address]>; Kate Satterthwaite
<[email address]>
Subject: FW: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
Kia ora both, 
Giving you a heads up that we’ve received the below OIA from an FYI.org.nz requestor for the
highlighted information. 
Prima facie this seems to be a fairly meaty request so I’ve looped in @Stallah Valaau to help co-
ordinate the material for the response, but will keep in mind a potential need for an extension,
depending on your views on how long you think it would take to pull together the information,
and your views on what should or should not be released.
Please also feel free to forward to relevant people – I’m not 100% clear on which teams hold the
information.
Very happy to have a chat if needed.
Sophia



Sophia Collinson (pronouns: she/her)
Senior Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and
Chief Executive
Kaitohutohu Matua – Tari o Te Kaitatauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | stats.govt.nz | +64 27 245 7671
 
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
 
  
 
 
From: Sophia Collinson <[email address]> 
Sent: Friday, 4 February 2022 10:00 am
To: [email address]
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
Tēnā koe Scott,
 
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act request dated 31 January
2022. You requested the following information:
I would like to make a request for the following information relating to the Stats NZ Data
Ethics Advisory Group:
 
ONE: A copy of the Martin Jenkins review of the Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
TWO: Copies of the agendas and minutes of all meetings held since October 2020
 
THREE: A copy of the discussion paper written for Customs NZ on the topic of security vs.
transparency
 
FOUR: A list of all discussion papers written by the group since its formation, including the
title of the paper, date it was published, and agency that the paper was written for (if
any)
 
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than
Tuesday 1 March 2022, being 20 working days after the day your request was received taking
into account national public holidays. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we
will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.
 
Your request is being handled by the Office of the Government Statistician and Chief Executive. If
you have any queries, please feel free to contact us. If additional factors come to light which are
relevant to your request, please do not hesitate to contact us so that these can be taken into
account.
Sophia Collinson (pronouns: she/her)



Senior Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and
Chief Executive
Kaitohutohu Matua – Tari o Te Kaitatauranga Matua Me Te Pouārahi Matua
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | stats.govt.nz |
 
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
 
  
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <[email address]>
Sent: Thursday, 3 February 2022 6:05 PM
To: Info Mailin - Shared Mailbox <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
Dear Statistics New Zealand,
 
I was just wanting to follow up to ensure this had been received and you are actioning my
request. Could I have an acknowledgement of receipt please?
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Scott
 
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[email address]
 
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our
privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
 
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to
link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 31 January 2022 3:31 PM
To: Info Mailin - Shared Mailbox <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
Dear Statistics New Zealand,
 
I would like to make a request for the following information relating to the Stats NZ Data Ethics
Advisory Group:
 
ONE: A copy of the Martin Jenkins review of the Data Ethics Advisory Group
 
TWO: Copies of the agendas and minutes of all meetings held since October 2020
 
THREE: A copy of the discussion paper written for Customs NZ on the topic of security vs.
transparency
 
FOUR: A list of all discussion papers written by the group since its formation, including the title of
the paper, date it was published, and agency that the paper was written for (if any)
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Scott
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
 
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[email address]
 
Is [Statistics New Zealand request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Statistics New
Zealand? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?body=statistics_new_zealand
 
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our
privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
 
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to
link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------