Kia ora,  

Thank you for contacting the Reserve Bank of New Zealand - Te Pūtea
Matua.   

Please note that this is an automatic reply to acknowledge that we have
received your email. We aim to respond to you in 14-21 working days. In
the meantime please read the below for our frequently asked questions. 

 

Upcoming Monetary Policy Announcements   

See all the Monetary Policy Announcement and Financial Stability Report
dates for 2023/2024 [1]here. 

 

Money & Cash   

* [2]Returning old or damaged currency  
* [3]The Future of Cash   
* [4]Security and counterfeit detection  
* [5]Using images of currency    

Banknote or coin suggestions   
If your email is offering suggestions related to banknote or coin designs
then it will be kept for review as part of any future work in this area.  

Who we are and what we do  
We are kaitiaki (guardians) of New Zealand’s financial ecosystem, working
to fulfil our purpose of Toitu te Ōhanga, Toitu te Oranga (enabling the
prosperity and wellbeing of all New Zealanders). We deliver on our mandate
by:  

o [6]Operating monetary policy to maintain low and stable inflation and
contribute to maximum sustainable employment  
o [7]Promoting a sound and efficient financial system  
o [8]Meeting the public’s cash needs  
o [9]Overseeing effective payments systems  

Statistics  
For any queries or clarifications on the [10]data and statistics we
publish, please email [11][email address].  

Firms we regulate  
The Reserve Bank is the prudential regulator of banks, insurers, and
non-bank deposit takers (NBDTs).   

o [12]List of registered banks in New Zealand  
o [13]List of licensed insurers   
o [14]Register of licensed NBDTs  

Complaints about banks, insurers, and NBDTs 
If you have a complaint, please deal directly with your bank or insurer in
the first instance. You can also contact the [15]Banking Ombudsman,
the [16]Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman, or the [17]Financial
Markets Authority. 

Looking for information about the strength of the financial system?  
Check out our [18]Bank Financial Strength Dashboard. You can also read our
regular assessments of the economy and the financial system:  

o [19]Monetary Policy Statement  
o [20]Financial Stability Report   

Please note that the Reserve Bank is not authorised to give legal or
financial advice. Please contact a lawyer or a financial adviser
instead.  

Kōrero – our speaking and engagement programme 
Reserve Bank staff meet and speak with a wide range of businesses,
industry forums, community groups, schools and universities. These
engagements are welcome opportunities to discuss topical issues and
policies, hear people’s experiences and answer questions.  

Please check out the [21]Kōrero webpage for more information on the
programme. To request a speaker, please email [22][email address].  

 

We’ll be in touch as soon as possible. 

Kia ora,  

   

Thank you for contacting the Reserve Bank of New Zealand - Te Pūtea
Matua.   

Please note that we are operating with a reduced team during the Christmas
and New Year period. We will aim to respond to you as soon as possible in
early 2023. In the meantime please read our frequently asked
questions below.    

 

Upcoming Monetary Policy Announcements   

See all the Monetary Policy Announcement and Financial Stability Report
dates for 2023/2024 [23]here. 

 

Money & Cash   

* [24]Returning old or damaged currency  
* [25]The Future of Cash   
* [26]Security and counterfeit detection  
* [27]Using images of currency    

Banknote or coin suggestions   
If your email is offering suggestions related to banknote or coin designs
then it will be kept for review as part of any future work in this area.  

Who we are and what we do  
We are kaitiaki (guardians) of New Zealand’s financial ecosystem, working
to fulfil our purpose of Toitu te Ōhanga, Toitu te Oranga (enabling the
prosperity and wellbeing of all New Zealanders). We deliver on our mandate
by:  

o [28]Operating monetary policy to maintain low and stable inflation and
contribute to maximum sustainable employment  
o [29]Promoting a sound and efficient financial system  
o [30]Meeting the public’s cash needs  
o [31]Overseeing effective payments systems  

Statistics  
For any queries or clarifications on the [32]data and statistics we
publish, please email [33][email address].  

Firms we regulate  
The Reserve Bank is the prudential regulator of banks, insurers, and
non-bank deposit takers (NBDTs).   

o [34]List of registered banks in New Zealand  
o [35]List of licensed insurers   
o [36]Register of licensed NBDTs  

Complaints about banks, insurers, and NBDTs 
If you have a complaint, please deal directly with your bank or insurer in
the first instance. You can also contact the [37]Banking Ombudsman,
the [38]Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman, or the [39]Financial
Markets Authority. 

Looking for information about the strength of the financial system?  
Check out our [40]Bank Financial Strength Dashboard. You can also read our
regular assessments of the economy and the financial system:  

o [41]Monetary Policy Statement  
o [42]Financial Stability Report   

Please note that the Reserve Bank is not authorised to give legal or
financial advice. Please contact a lawyer or a financial adviser
instead.  

Kōrero – our speaking and engagement programme 
Reserve Bank staff meet and speak with a wide range of businesses,
industry forums, community groups, schools and universities. These
engagements are welcome opportunities to discuss topical issues and
policies, hear people’s experiences and answer questions.  

Please check out the [43]Kōrero webpage for more information on the
programme. To request a speaker, please email [44][email address].  

 

We’ll be in touch as soon as possible. 

 

 

Kind regards | Ngā mihi nui 

  

Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua  

2 The Terrace, Wellington 6011. PO Box 2498, Wellington 6140  

T + 04 471 3660  

E [45][RBNZ request email]   W [46]rbnz.govt.nz  

This message (and any files transmitted with it) are confidential and may
be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please notify
the sender immediately and delete this message from your system.

This message does not necessarily reflect the views of the Reserve Bank of
New Zealand. If the recipient has any concerns about the content of this
message they should seek alternative confirmation from the Reserve Bank of
New Zealand.

References

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1. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2022/1...
2. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins...
3. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins...
4. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins...
5. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins...
6. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monetary-policy
7. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/financial-stabi...
8. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins
9. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/payments-and-se...
10. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics
11. mailto:[email address]
12. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation-and-...
13. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation-and-...
14. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation-and-...
15. https://bankomb.org.nz/the-complaint-pro...
16. https://www.ifso.nz/complaints/
17. https://www.fma.govt.nz/
18. https://bankdashboard.rbnz.govt.nz/summary
19. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monetary-policy...
20. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/financial-stabi...
21. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/news-and-events...
22. mailto:[email address]
23. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2022/1...
24. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins...
25. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins...
26. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins...
27. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins...
28. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monetary-policy
29. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/financial-stabi...
30. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins
31. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/payments-and-se...
32. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics
33. mailto:[email address]
34. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation-and-...
35. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation-and-...
36. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation-and-...
37. https://bankomb.org.nz/the-complaint-pro...
38. https://www.ifso.nz/complaints/
39. https://www.fma.govt.nz/
40. https://bankdashboard.rbnz.govt.nz/summary
41. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monetary-policy...
42. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/financial-stabi...
43. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/news-and-events...
44. mailto:[email address]
45. mailto:[RBNZ request email]
46. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/

Dear Brendon,

 

Thank you for your email received by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te
Pūtea Matua on 22 May 2023 requesting information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA), as follows:

 

I would like to know if you support or oppose the removal of co-pays for
health services, and whether removing them will impact on inflation.

 

Please bear in mind that the USA has full user pays for health services,
and they still have high inflation.

 

This email is to advise you that your request is being transferrred in
part to the Treasury for response, as provided for under section 14(b)(i)
of the OIA, as I believe that it more likly to be held by the Treasury.
The part being transferred to the Treasury is your request for what impact
the removal of co-pays for health services will have on inflation.

 

The other portion of your request “I would like to know if you support or
oppose the removal of co-pays for health services,” does not meet the
criteria as a request for ‘official information’ as set out in the OIA.
Section 2 of the OIA provides the definition of official information as
that which is ‘held’ by those subject to the OIA. Under the OIA, and in
guidance provided by the Ombudsman on the matter, there is no obligation
for those subject to the OIA to create information that is not otherwise
‘held’ in order to respond to a request. In this case, responding to some
of your questions may amount to the creation of information. The
Ombudsman’s guidance further notes that “while it is permissible to seek
information by asking questions under the OIA, a distinction must be drawn
between questions which seek information that is ‘held’, and questions
which seek to elicit an opinion or explanation. The primary purpose of the
OIA is to allow requestors to seek information ‘held’ by agencies. It is
not a mechanism for requestors to seek an agency’s explanation or
opinion.” While all efforts are made to respond to all requests for
information, whether or not they technically meet the threshold of an OIA
under legislation, in this case the RBNZ will not be providing an opinion
on matters of public policy.

 

The Treasury has been notified of this partial transfer today and have 20
working days from today’s date to respond/advise of a decision.

 

Kind regards,

 

Government and Industry Relations

Reserve Bank of New Zealand – [2]Text Description automatically generated
Te Pūtea Matua
[3]cid:image010.png@01D7593A.4FF7BCD0   
2 The Terrace, Wellington
6011. PO Box 2498, Wellington
6140

W [1]rbnz.govt.nz

 

 

 

 

 

From: Brendon Mills <[4][FOI #22865 email]>
Sent: Saturday, 20 May 2023 2:59 pm
To: RBNZ Info <[5][RBNZ request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Co-pays for health services

 

Dear Reserve Bank of New Zealand,

I would like to know if you support or oppose the removal of co-pays for
health services, and whether removing them will impact on inflation.

Please bear in mind that the USA has full user pays for health services,
and they still have high inflation.

Yours faithfully,

Brendon Mills

show quoted sections

Kia ora,

 

Please find attached a reply to your OIA request. Please note that this
response has been signed out via an electronic process, rather than a
physical signature.

 

Ngâ mihi maioha

Ministerial Advisory Services

 

 

| Ministerial Advisory Services | Te Tai Ôhanga – The Treasury

Visit us online at [1]https://treasury.govt.nz/ and follow us on
[2]Twitter, [3]LinkedIn and [4]Instagram

 

[IN-CONFIDENCE]

                                                       

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

The information in this email is confidential to the Treasury, intended
only for the addressee(s), and may also be legally privileged. If you are
not an intended addressee:

a. please immediately delete this email and notify the Treasury by return
email or telephone (64 4 472 2733);

b. any use, dissemination or copying of this email is strictly prohibited
and may be unlawful.

 

References

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