7 March 2023

John Luke
[FYI request #21456 email]

Tēnā koe John Luke

On 19 December 2022, you emailed the Ministry of Social Development (the
Ministry) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982  (the Act), the
following information:
•  May I ask what sort of advisory groups Vanisa Dhiru was set on within the
MSD? Can you please provide name to the group, term of reference of
this group, her term of appointment and the pay rate.

The Ministry can advise that Vanisa Dhiru sat on an advisory group called the
NGO Advisory Group from 2013 until 2016. Responsibility for the Group was
transferred to the Ministry for Children (Oranga Tamariki) in 2017. The Ministry
does not hold documentation relating to the Group, such as terms of reference.
We consulted Oranga Tamariki, who informed us it did not hold this information
either. Therefore, I am refusing that part of your request under section 18(e)
of the Act, as despite reasonable efforts to locate it, this information cannot be
found.
The Ministry paid Vanisa Dhiru at a rate consistent with Level 3 of Group 4,
$190 - $364 per meeting as set out in Cabinet Office Circular CO (12) 6. The
link to this document can be found at Cabinet Office Circular CO (12) 6: Fees
framework for members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest
- 19 December 2012 (dpmc.govt.nz). The exact amount that Ms Dhiru was
paid is refused in full under section 9(2)(a) of the Act in order to protect the
privacy of natural persons. The need to protect the privacy of these individuals
outweighs any public interest in this information.
The principles and purposes of the Official Information Act 1982 under which
you made your request are:
•  to create greater openness and transparency about the plans, work and
activities of the Government,
•  to increase the ability of the public to participate in the making and
administration of our laws and policies and
•  to lead to greater accountability in the conduct of public affairs.

If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email].
If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to seek an
investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to make
a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
Josie Nafatali
Director
Deputy Chief Executive’s Office
Maori, Communities and Partnerships
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