Tēnā koe Lance

 

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act
request.

 

We received your request on Thursday, 11 May 2023. We will endeavour to
respond to your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than
9 June 2023, being 20 working days after the day your request was received
taking into account 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
me using the details in the signature below. If any additional factors
come to light which are relevant to your request, please do not hesitate
to contact us so these can be taken into account.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Joy Skye (she/her and Ms)
Senior Advisor - Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Chief
Executive

Kaitohutohu - Ngā Hononga Whakawaho, Kāwanatanga hoki, Tari o te Tumu
Whakahaere
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | [1]stats.govt.nz | 04-931 4699

About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa

Data that improves lives today and for generations to come

 

Work days: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Lance D. Lavery <[2][FOI #22774 email]>

Sent: Thursday, 11 May 2023 7:04 PM

To: Info Mailin - Shared Mailbox <[3][email address]>

Subject: Official Information request - Official Information Act Request
Regarding Excess Deaths and COVID-19 Vaccination in New Zealand

 

Dear Statistics New Zealand,

 

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

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[4][FOI #22774 email]

 

Is [5][Statistics New Zealand request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to Statistics New Zealand? If so, please contact us using this
form:

[6]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[7]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.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.stats.govt.nz/
2. mailto:[FOI #22774 email]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[FOI #22774 email]
5. mailto:[Statistics New Zealand request email]
6. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
7. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Kia ora,  

  

Please find attached a letter relating to your official information act
request.      

Ngā mihi 

 

OIA Services Team

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 
U[2]nite against COVID-19 

****************************************************************************
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Tēnā koe, 

 

Thank you for contacting Te Whatu Ora, Health NZ. This is an automatic
reply to confirm that we have received your email.  Depending on the
nature of your request you may not receive a response for up to 20 working
days.  We will try to respond to your query as quickly as possible.

s information that is identified to be of general public interest, the
response may also be published on our website. If we e response to your
OIA request, all personal information, including your name and contact
details will be removed.

 

Ngā mihi

 

Te Whatu Ora, Health NZ.

****************************************************************************
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legal privilege.
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distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
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hide quoted sections

Kia ora Lance

 

Please find attached a response from Stats NZ to your Official Information
Act request of 11 May 2023.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

Laura Christen (pronouns: she/her/hers)

Senior Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the
Government Statistician and Chief Executive | Kaitohutohu Matua – Tari o
Te Kaitatauranga Matua Me Te Pouârahi Matua

Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | [1]stats.govt.nz |

About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa

Data that improves lives today and for generations to come

 

[2]Facebook | [3]Twitter | [4]LinkedIn

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Lance D. Lavery <[5][FOI #22774 email]>

Sent: Thursday, 11 May 2023 7:04 PM

To: Info Mailin - Shared Mailbox <[6][email address]>

Subject: Official Information request - Official Information Act Request
Regarding Excess Deaths and COVID-19 Vaccination in New Zealand

 

Dear Statistics New Zealand,

 

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

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[7][FOI #22774 email]

 

Is [8][Statistics New Zealand request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to Statistics New Zealand? If so, please contact us using this
form:

[9]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[10]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.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.stats.govt.nz/
2. https://www.facebook.com/StatisticsNZ
3. https://twitter.com/Stats_NZ
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/statist...
5. mailto:[FOI #22774 email]
6. mailto:[email address]
7. mailto:[FOI #22774 email]
8. mailto:[Statistics New Zealand request email]
9. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
10. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Kia ora 
 
Thank you for your request of 1 June 2023 for 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 COVID19 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.
 
Your request asks for information which is more closely aligned with the
functions of the Public Health Agency.  For this reason, Te Whatu Ora has
decided to partially transfer your request to the Ministry of Health under
section 14(b)(ii) of the Act. Questions 4, 5 and 6 have been transferred,
and you can expect a response from the Ministry of Health in due course.
 
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. If you have any queries related to this request, please do not
hesitate to get in touch.  
 
Ngā mihi  
 
Te Whatu Ora Ministerial Team

 
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand 
TeWhatuOra.govt.nz 
 

****************************************************************************
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If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

References

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Kia ora
  
Thank you for your request for official information. The reference number
for your request is: H2023026956
  
As required under the Official Information Act 1982, Manatū Hauora will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/  
  
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team
on [2][email address]. If any 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. 

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [3][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
 
Ngā mihi 
 
OIA Services Team 
M[4]inistry of Health information releases 
U[5]nite against COVID-19 
 

****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
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legal privilege.
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distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
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References

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1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
5. https://covid19.govt.nz/

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Lance

Thank you for your request for official information, received on 1 June
2023 for: 
 
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
 
In order to provide you with the information requested, could you please
clarify the information you are seeking in number 3 of your request. Are
you wanting general information about the different COVID-19 vaccines that
were available or are you requesting data on how many doses of each
vaccine were given?

We look forward to receiving your response. 
Ngâ mihi
 
Te Whatu Ora Ministerial Team
 
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
 

****************************************************************************
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legal privilege.
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distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

hide quoted sections

Tēnā koe Lance

Thank you for your email of 1 June 2023, asking for the following
information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):

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

 This email is to let you know that Te Whatu Ora needs more time to make a
decision on your request.

The Act requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no
later than 20 working days after the day we received your request.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet that time limit and we are
therefore writing to notify you of an extension of the time to make our
decision, to 28 July 2023

This extension is required because the consultations necessary to make a
decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably
be made within the original time limit.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [1][email address]

If you are not happy with this extension, you have the right to make a
complaint to the Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.

Nāku iti noa, nā

Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
 

****************************************************************************
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legal privilege.
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If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
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Kia ora Lance,
Please see the attached response to your request for official information.

Ngā mihi 

  

OIA Services Team

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 
U[2]nite against COVID-19 

****************************************************************************
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legal privilege.
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If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
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2. https://covid19.govt.nz/

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Kia ora Lance,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) Sterilisation numbers. On 01 June 2023, Manatû Hauora - the Ministry
of Health transferred your request to Te Whatu Ora under section 14 of the
Act:

“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.”
 
Manatû Hauora has subsequently advised Te Whatu Ora that that your request
asks for information which is more closely aligned with the functions of
Manatû Hauora. For this reason, On 12 June 2023 Te Whatu Ora is
transferred back below part of your request back to Manatû Hauora under
section 14(b)(ii) of the Act.
 
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.”
 
A Clarification/Refinement email was sent to you about Q 3 on 13 June
2023. We are still waiting for your response. could you please clarify the
information you are seeking in Q number 3 of your request. Are you wanting
general information about the different COVID-19 vaccines that were
available or are you requesting data on how many doses of each vaccine
were given?
 
Pursuant to section 15(1)(a) of the Act, Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand
is writing to advise you that a decision has been made on your request;
however, it will take us some time to prepare the information for release.
However, as it stands, some information will be refused under 18 (f) of
the Act.
We apologise for the delay, and endeavor to send you the information by 18
August 2023.  
 
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 
 
Ngâ mihi  
Obaid 

Te Whatu Ora Ministerial Team 
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
 
 

****************************************************************************
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If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
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References

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mailto:[email address]

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Kia ora Lance,
 
Thank you for your request for information regarding Excess Deaths and
COVID-19 Vaccination in New Zealand on 1 June 2023.Please find attached
our response to your request. Please accept our apologies for the delay in
responding to your request.
 
If you have any questions, please get in touch at
[1][email address].
 
If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a
complaint to the Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available
at [2]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.
 
Ngâ mihi  
Obaid 

Te Whatu Ora Ministerial Team 
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
 
 

****************************************************************************
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legal privilege.
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If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
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References

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2. file:///tmp/foiextract20230814-36-1up6ql4#

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