30 March 2023
Ref: DOIA 2223-2151
Nathan
Email:
[FYI request #22208 email]
Tēnā koe Nathan
Thank you for your email of 22 March 2023 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
How many total active amateur radio operators are there in New Zealand?
MBIE issues General Amateur Operator Certificates and callsigns for use in New Zealand, but does not
track whether those who have been given permission to operate actively do so. Also, MBIE is not always
notified if or when a user has left New Zealand or is deceased.
Therefore, your request for the number of active amateur radio operators is refused under section 18(g)
of the Act, as the information requested is not held by the department or venture or Minister of the
Crown or organisation and the person dealing with the request has no grounds for believing that the
information is either—
(i)
held by another department (for itself and for a departmental agency hosted by it or an
interdepartmental executive board serviced by it) or interdepartmental venture or Minister
of the Crown or organisation, or by a local authority; or
(ii)
connected more closely with the functions of another department (for itself and for a
departmental agency hosted by it or an interdepartmental executive board serviced by it) or
interdepartmental venture or Minister of the Crown or organisation or of a local authority.
We can advise that as at 24 March 2023 there are 6,730 current General Amateur Operator Certificates
issued for use in New Zealand. For the reasons given above, this number wil not be an accurate reflection
of active users.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance,
please contact
[email address].
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
Nāku noa, nā
Nathan Schaffer
National Manager, Radio Spectrum Management
Market Integrity