From:
Meg Whitlow
To:
Stallah Valaau; Sophia Collinson; Tennille Maxey
Cc:
Alessandro Aduso; Tom Lee
Subject:
RE: Official Information request - Data Ethics Advisory Group
Date:
Thursday, 24 February 2022 8:08:00 am
Attachments:
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Hi again
Regarding the request for minutes of all meetings since October 2020, here is some further
information regarding the 3 December meeting that you may wish to include as part of the
response:
Minutes for DEAG meetings are normally published as they consist of providing advice to
government agencies, where those agencies seek advice knowing it will be made public.
Section 9 (2)(g)(i)
Thanks
Meg
From: Meg Whitlow
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
Hi Stallah
Section 9 (2) (a)
! Thanks for your email below. Please
include Alex in the final sign-out process for this (noting that my response has been peer
reviewed but not yet approved by Alex). Updates on each item below.
1.
A copy of the Martin Jenkins review of the Data Ethics Advisory Group
Attached. I have read the review and my view is that it can be released in full. Note that
the report includes names of those who were involved in writing the report (from Martin
Jenkins) and also those from agencies who were interviewed as part of the review. I
suggest that it may be worth advising those from other agencies that the report has
been released after we have responded (refer page 49). I don’t think that there are
grounds to withhold these names but this may be something worth checking with
Legal/you in terms of Stats NZ’s standard approach. I also suggest that Nessa Lynch, as
interim Chair of the DEAG is advised that we intend to release the report (prior to its
release), largely as an FYI, but this will also give her the chance to flag any issues arising.
In terms of context, it may be worth noting as part of the response that 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. @Tennille
Maxey can you please jump in if that status has changed at all.
2.
Copies of the agendas and minutes of all meetings held since October 2020
As mentioned in my previous email, there has been only one meeting since this date –
on 3 December 2020. The agenda is attached. There do not appear to be any minutes
from the meeting (that I have been able to find in my various and multiple searches). I
suggest that the agenda can be released in full. Section 9 (2)(g)(i)
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)?
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)
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. Section 9 (2)(g)(i)
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
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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.
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