133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
19 February 2024
Erika Whittome
By email: [FYI request #25596 email]
Ref:
H2024035624
Tēnā koe Erika
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health - Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 4 February 2024. Each part of your request is
responded to below:
Would you kindly share the details on the fines you have issued under COVID-19 Public
Health Response Act 2020 and any of the secondary legislation Covid orders?
Please share:
1. The number of fines you have issued since the 2020 Act.
Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 and associated regulations, 147
infringement fines were issued in total by the Ministry for infringement of ences.
2. The monetary quantum value of all these issued fines
The total value of fines under the infringement notices issued by the Ministry was $85,900.
3. The amount you have collected in your Westpac account 030049 0001805 29, Ministry
of Health Crown Account or any other accounts for your fines collection to date including
any credit card remittances.
The amount received by the Ministry in payment of those fines is $11,600.
4. The number of outstanding fines and the monetary value of these fines you are yet to
collect as of the date when you answer this OIA request.
There are no outstanding fines to be collected by the Ministry. Outstanding infringement notices
where fines were not paid within 90 days have been referred to the Ministry of Justice for
collection.
5. The staff headcount at your offices dedicated to the issuance and notices of such fines.
For Example, the department and/or staff who address the email address
infringementfees at health.govt.nz.
The Ministry has one person whose role includes the preparation and issue of infringement
notices.
6. I also request details of your designation as a safety regulator under section 191 of the
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The NZ Gazette does not appear to have any
historical notices from the Prime Minister delegating this authority to the Ministry of Health.
If you could share this information, that would be much appreciated. Thanks very much.”
This part of your request is refused under section 18(g)(i) of the Act, as the information
requested is not held by the Ministry and there are no grounds for believing it is held by another
agency subject to the Act. The Ministry is not a designated agency under section 191 of the
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
I trust this information fulfils your request. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with
us, including this decision, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Phil Knipe
Chief Legal Advisor
Government and Executive Services | Te Pou Whakatere Kāwanatanga
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