Official Information Act Request
Requester’s details
Date: 1 May 2023
Name: John
Email: [FYI request #21979 email]
Reference number: ENQ-45709-N3L6C4
Dear John
I refer to your request, which was initially received on 22 March 2023, then clarified on 30
March 2023, for:
“… all materials related to how and why the Board of EPA decided to hold Board
meetings jointly with Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao (NKT) including but not limited to:
1. Al documents and communications about the proposal and decision to hold joint
meetings of the Board and NKT
2. Details of when the first joint Board and NKT meeting was held
3. Al communications between the past and present Chair of the Board and the
responsible minister regarding joint Board and NKT meetings
4. Any advice and opinions the Board received on if the members of NKT could be
deemed / defacto directors of EPA as a result of participating in joint board and NKT
meetings."
The information you have requested is attached. Some of the information you have
requested has been redacted under section 9(2)(a) of the Of icial Information Act 1982
(OIA), to protect the privacy of natural persons. Some information has also been redacted
under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the OIA, to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through
the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or
members of an organisation or officers and employees of any public service agency or
organisation in the course of their duty.
A fundamental principle of the OIA is that information should be released, unless there is
good reason to withhold it. We consider there is good reason to withhold some information
for the reasons outlined above, and there are no reasons why it would be in the public
interest to release it instead.
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I hope this information is helpful. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by
the Ombudsman of this decision.
You can contact the Ombudsman on 0800 802 602, or by email at
[email address].
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us via
[email address].
We may publish your request and our response on our website,
www.epa.govt.nz. We
make OIA responses available so others can read more about the work we do and the
questions we are asked. Any information that might identify you wil be removed to protect
your privacy.
Yours sincerely
Paula Knaap
General Manager, Engagement
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Document Outline
