14 March 2024
John Luke
[FYI request #25351 email]
DOIA 2324-1429
Tēnā koe John,
Thank you for your email of 9 January 2024 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the fol owing:
Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, I would like to request the fol owing
information:
1. The date, time and location of your initial meeting with the new Immigration Minister
for your department.
2. A list of attendees at this meeting
3. The cost of any flights and accommodation for staff who reside outside of wel ington
to attend this meeting.
4. Any documentation provided at the meeting.
5. All notes (including handwritten notes) taken at the meeting by department staff.
6. A copy of any emails sent by department attendees or all staff communications
regarding the meeting with the new Minister.
On 27 February 2024 a partial response to your request was sent. We also advised that there was
one document in scope of question 4 of your request and that MBIE had decided to release this to
you, with some information withheld under the relevant sections of the Act, but it would take some
time to prepare it for release, and it would be provided to you in due course.
Our Response
Please refer to Appendix B for the information in scope of question 4 of your request.
Please note some information may be withheld under the fol owing sections of the Act:
• 6(a), as the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the security or
defence of New Zealand, or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand.
• 6(b)(i), as the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the entrusting
of information to the Government of New Zealand on a basis of confidence- by:
(i)
the Government of any other country or any agency of such a government; or
(ii)
any international organisation.
• 6(c), as the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the maintenance
of the law, including the investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial.
• 9(2)(a), as the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural
persons, including that of deceased natural persons.
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• 9(2)(b)(ii), as the withholding of the information is necessary to protect information where
the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial position
of the person who supplied or who was subject to the information.
• 9(2)(f)(iv), as the withholding of the information is necessary to maintain the constitutional
conventions for the time being which protect the confidentiality of advice tendered to
Ministers of the Crown and officials.
I have considered whether withholding that information is outweighed by other considerations which
render it desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available, in accordance with
section 9(1) of the OIA. However, it is my opinion that such grounds do not exist.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800
802 602.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further
assistance, please contact
[email address]
Nāku noa, nā
Debbie Te Awhe
National Manager and Privacy and Ministerial Services
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
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