OIAD-3715
5 April 2024
Stephen Prendergast
[FYI request #25414 email]
Tēnā koe Stephen
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation, received on 16 January
2024, in which you asked for:
‘Information from 1 May 2023 by the Regulatory services unit covering the advice
provided to Penny Nelson or DOC SLT, the Minister, or MBIE regarding the issuing of
concessions to PTL /WHL for Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields’.
We have considered your request under the Of icial Information Act 1982.
On 16 January we contacted you and sought to refine your request. This was because the
request (as previously framed) would likely have involved substantial collation and research.
On 31 January you agreed to our proposed refinement and the request was amended to:
1. Formal advice to the Minister of Conservation primarily related to the concession
process for Mt Ruapehu, since 1 May 2023.
2. Formal advice to the Director-General of Conservation primarily related to the
concession process for Mt Ruapehu, since 1 May 2023.
On 29 February we extended the timeframe to respond to your request to 5 April. This was
due to research necessary to identify all in scope information and undertake associated
consultation.
Under section 15(1)(a) of the Official Information Act, I have decided to grant your request.
However, more time is required to prepare the response for release. We expect to be able to
provide you with the final documentation no later than 9 April 2024. We apologise for any
inconvenience that this may cause.
For your reference, some information wil be withheld under section 9 of the Official
Information Act as applicable.
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of
the Official Information Act and determined there are no public interests that outweigh the
grounds for withholding.
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You are entitled to seek an investigation and review of my decision by writing to an
Ombudsman as provided by section 28(3) of the Official Information Act.
Nāku noa, nā
Steve Brightwell
Principal Advisor – Policy and Regulatory Services
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
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