27 March 2024
Percy Doyle
[FYI request #25676 email]
Kia ora Percy
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-031062
Thank you for your email of 10 March 2024, asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
•
I understand you had difficulty in undertaking the finding of all Havlock North cases and therefore are
unable to provide accurate numbers. Could you please find one claim that was approved for cover and
specify what cover was awarded for. In relation to approving cover, you referred me to the legislation in
your answer below. . "The relevant legislation for the case you refer to can be found in section 25(1)(ba)
of the Accident Compensation Act 2001 here: Accident Compensation Act 2001 No 49 (as at 06
September 2023), Public Act 25 Accident – New Zealand Legislation." In relation to the Havlock North
cases, you may or may not know that campylobacter is a bacterial infection. The legislation you refer to
includes reference to it as "bacterium". The relevant section of the legislation is Section 25 (1) (b) and
(ba). I presume you're answering that in relation to questions 1 & 3 I had in relation to cover in the wild
boar case and the Havlock North water contamination cases. Can you confirm that you're telling me
then, that ACC covered those cases due to "criminal act"?
•
In relation to the wild boar cases, what was cover awarded for? Please be as specific as possible.
Again, referring the legislation you referenced I noted again in Q 1, were the cases covered due to
"criminal act"?
Havelock North Water contamination claims
No claims concerning the 2016 Havelock North water contamination incident were approved for cover.
Therefore, we are unable to provide the information you requested as it does not exist. This decision has
been made under section 18(e) of the Act.
Wild boar cases
We have interpreted this part of your request as seeking the entitlements provided for these claims.
Entitlements provided in this case were the cost of hospital bil s, lost income, and rehabilitation. We can
confirm that cover wasn’t given in this case because of a ‘criminal act’.
If you are not happy with this response
You can contact the Ombudsman vi
a [email address] or by phoning 0800 802 602.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Ngā mihi
Christopher Johnston
Manager Official Information Act Services
Government Engagement
GOV-031062 Page 1 of 1