Dear Ministry of Health,

I trust this message finds you well. Under the auspices of the Official Information Act 1982, I am reaching out to request specific information that pertains to New Zealand's management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ensuing vaccination program.

This request is spurred by an article by Guy Hatchard, published on May 11, 2023, which presents and interprets data pertaining to excess deaths during the pandemic period in New Zealand. The data, sourced from 'Our World in Data', a globally recognized platform managed by Oxford University, suggests a surge in excess deaths in our country since the onset of the pandemic.

Specifically, I request the following information:

1. Comprehensive annual mortality rates in New Zealand from 2015 through 2023, inclusive of data on cause-specific mortality, where available.

2. Data regarding the official COVID-19 death count in New Zealand, inclusive of a breakdown by age, gender, and comorbidity status, where possible.

3. Information about the vaccination program in New Zealand, specifically data related to the number of individuals vaccinated, the types of vaccines administered, and any adverse events reported post-vaccination.

4. Any internal reports or communications discussing the potential impact of the COVID-19 vaccination program on mortality rates.

5. Any research or official documentation the government possesses that discuss a potential correlation between the COVID-19 vaccination program and excess deaths, if any.

6. Information about the government's stance and policies regarding the use of genetically engineered mRNA vaccines and the potential risks associated with them.

This request will be made publicly available via the fyi.org.nz website, and I would appreciate your response via the same platform. Should you require any additional clarity on this request, please do not hesitate to get in touch via the fyi.org.nz platform.

As per the guidelines of the Act, I understand that a decision on this request should be communicated within 20 working days.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Yours faithfully,

Lance D. Lavery