15 June 2023
L.K. Harris
[FYI request #23074 email]
Ref: OIA-2022/23-0999
Dear L.K. Harris
Official Information Act request relating to application of the OIA to the social media
accounts of MPs, Ministers and government departments
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 10 June 2023.
You requested:
“Are the offical blue tick verified Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or any other such social
media accounts used by MP’s, the Primeminister, or any Government department
listed in the OIA register, defined as “personal” profiles, or are they indeed subject to
OIA requests?”
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) is only able to comment in
relation to our social media presence. I can advise that any official DPMC social media
channels are subject to the Official Information Act. However, personal social media
accounts of DPMC staff are not subject to the Act as Section two of the Act defines official
information as any information held by a public service agency or Minister of the Crown in
their official capacity.
For further information on requests for Official Information Act the Office of the Ombudsman
is best placed to provide guidance. The Office of the Ombudsman helps New Zealanders
work with public sector agencies, and their responsibilities include addressing complaints,
conducting investigations and inspections, and promoting effective administration.
The Ombudsman may be able to help you. Please call 0800 802 602 (+64 4 473 9533) or
email
[email address]. If you would like to make an Official Information Act request to an organisation subject to the
Act please find a link to the Directory of Official Information:
www.justice.govt.nz/about/official-information-act-requests/directory-of-official-information/
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
We do not intend to publish this response on the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet’s website.
Yours sincerely
Clare Ward
Executive Director
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
4757252
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz