27/10/23
Jaan Ingenbleek
By email to:
[FYI request #23389 email]
Dear Jaan
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 2023/49
On 5 July 2023 you made a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA) for the
following information:
a copy of any communication between the electoral commision or any member of it and
Taieri MP Ingrid Leary Also any between Harry Tam and the electoral commision or any member
of it. Also between electoral commision or any member of it and any known mongrel mob
members. Dating between the 1st of January 2023 and the 5th of July 2023.
For the purposes of this response, we have only included correspondence between the Electoral
Commission or any member of the Electoral Commission, Taieri MP Ingrid Leary, Harry Tam and any
known Mongrel Mob members related to the Electoral Commission providing enrolment, eligibility
and voting information at meetings and huis during the requested timeframe.
Part of the Commission’s role is to raise awareness with the public on how to get ready to vote. This
includes enrolment and voting period information. The Commission also addresses any barriers to
participation through building community understanding of voting eligibility for all New Zealanders,
why voting is important, and to support confidence for voters to take part.
Therefore, we include a broad range of communities in our planning and engagement activity. It is
part of the Commission’s statutory role to work with all communities to help them understand and
take part in elections and support eligible voters to meet their legal obligation to be enrolled.
The Electoral Commission or any member of the Electoral Commission did not have contact with
Taieri MP Ingrid Leary regarding her attendance at any meeting or hui where Harry Tam and/or
Mongrel Mob members were in attendance.
Below is a copy of th
e WPQ 20116 (2023) as a reference to your request with the respective email
attachments (noted as appendices) aligned to the corresponding date(s). With regards to the
19/5/23 contact noted in the WPQ, this is a transcribed phone call made to our contact centre.
Further to this, the emails provided make note of any phone calls and provide summaries of the
conversations held.
Electoral Commission
Level 4, 34-42 Manners Street, PO Box 3220, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Telephone +64 4 495 0030 Fax +64 4 495 0031
www.vote.nz | www.elections.nz
Date
Summary of Communication
Appendix
19/5/23
Enquiries team received contact from Harry Tam seeking the Commission
Refer to
to attend and provide enrolment and voting information for a planned hui
Appendix 1
in June 2023
24/5/23 -
Correspondence between Mr Tam and the Commission organising logistics
Refer to
13/6/23
for the Hawkes Bay hui on 17 June, and invitation to the Dunedin hui.
Appendix 2 &
2.1
17/6/23
Hawkes Bay hui (Takapau). 25 members in attendance as well as children,
Refer to
other whānau members, and two Commission staff. Information discussed
Appendix 2 &
related to enrolment information, Māori Electoral Option, and voting.
2.1
21/6/23
A phone and email exchange with Mr Tam seeking Commission attendance Refer to
at a hui in Maraenui, Napier (9 July). Mr Tam enquired if the Commission
Appendix 3
would be able to fund his travel to different regions in support of
engagement with gangs.
26/6/23
Mr Tam was informed that the Commission would not provide funding for
Refer to
his travel costs. Emails exchanged regarding Maraenui and Dunedin hui.
Appendix 3
28/6/23
Phone call and follow up emails between Mr Tam and Commission
Refer to
regarding logistics for Dunedin meeting. The Commission responded
Appendix 4
noting:
“The Electoral Commission remains neutral / apolitical at all times. Our
team will remain onsite to assist with completion and collection of the
enrolment forms. However, can they please be excused prior to your kōrero
with your members.”
1/7/23
Dunedin hui at Corstophine Community Hub, 40-50 people in attendance
Refer to
alongside two Commission staff. The Commission presented information
Appendices 2,
related to the Māori Electoral Option, the difference between the Māori
2.1, 3 & 4
and general roll, the difference between Māori and general electorates,
voting, and enrolment. Participants were provided with enrolment forms.
Commission staff left the room while the hui continued, returning to
collect completed enrolment forms once the hui was concluded
4/7/23
Email from Commission to Mr Tam acknowledging that Commission staff
Refer to
would not be able to attend upcoming events in Waipawa or Maraenui
Appendices 2,
2.1, 3 & 5
Some contact details, such as phone numbers, email addresses and some names have been withheld
under s 9(2)(a) of the OIA which relates to the privacy of natural persons.
In each case where redactions have been made under section 9(2)(a), consideration has been given
to and I am satisfied that the reasons for withholding of the information are not outweighed by
other considerations which render it desirable, in the public interest to make that information
available.
In the interests of transparency, we release responses to Official Information Act requests every 3
months. We will publish this response with your personal details redacted.
Electoral Commission
Level 4, 34-42 Manners Street, PO Box 3220, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Telephone +64 4 495 0030 Fax +64 4 495 0031
www.vote.nz | www.elections.nz
You have the right under section 28(3) of the Act to make a complaint to the Ombudsman if you are
not satisfied with the response to your request. Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Shane Whitfield
Director, Strategic Engagement & Partnerships
Electoral Commission
Level 4, 34-42 Manners Street, PO Box 3220, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Telephone +64 4 495 0030 Fax +64 4 495 0031
www.vote.nz | www.elections.nz
