2 February 2024
Kevin Smith
[FYI request #25221 email]
Ref: OIA-2023/24-0368
Dear Kevin
Official Information Act request relating to correspondence between NIWA and NEMA
between 13 July and 17 July 2021.
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 18 December
2023. You requested:
“I am seeking the correspondence between NIWA, and also NEMA, to either the Buller
District Council or West Coast Regional Council in the days prior to the July 2021, Buller
River flood.
This is to cover the period from Tuesday 13th July 2021 through to midday on the
Saturday, 17th July.
As I am interested in weather and other warnings or advisories given, this may also
include correspondence to affiliated agencies, Civil Defence, Emergency Management
agencies.”
I note that you have also submitted a request to the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric
Research Ltd (NIWA). Staff has contacted NIWA, and I am advised that NIWA will be
responding to you directly in regard to matters that relate to their request, and I refer you to
their response.
I have identified some correspondence of a general nature between the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA) and either the Buller District Council or West Coast Regional
Council in the period from Tuesday 13 July 2021 through to midday Saturday 17 July 2021.
Also, there are some emails and material of a general nature that provide updates – please
see the attached bundle for this information.
I have decided to release the relevant parts of the attached bundle of documents (“the bundle”),
subject to some information being withheld. Unless expressly noted in the bundle, the
information that is withheld is done pursuant to s9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy of
natural persons.
Also, please note that information which is considered “trivial” (such as embedded branding
images) has not been included in the information to be released and is withheld pursuant to
s18(h) of the Act.
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of
the Act. No public interest has been identified that would be sufficient to override the reasons
for withholding that information.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section
28(3) of the Act.
Level 7, TSB Building, 147 Lambton Quay | PO Box 5010 | Wellington 6140 | New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 830 5100 | [email address] | www.civildefence.govt.nz
It is proposed that this response will be published on the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet’s website during our regular publication cycle. Typically, information is released
monthly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal information including name and contact
details will be removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Anthony Richards
Chief Advisor to the Deputy Chief Executive, Emergency Management
4842065
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