133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
12 November 2024
Erika Whittome
By email: [FYI request #25904 email]
Ref:
H2024055519
Tēnā koe Erika
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your follow up request to the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on
7 November 2024 for information regarding the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act
(HPCA Act). You requested:
“I see the Associate Minister of Health has appointed a new person on the HPDT.
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2024-go5638.
The MoH clearly funds this HPDT. Can you please answer these 2 questions.
In the most recent financial year, what is the cost to the Ministry of Health for the
operation of all the Professional Conduct Committees in the health industry?
Would you please share the most recent audit report on the HPDT?”
The Ministry does not pay for the operations of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
(HPDT). This is paid from individual health professionals as part of their annual practicing
certificate fee to their relevant responsible authorities.
As stated in our previous response (H2024049712 refers) the HPDT is not an ‘authority’ under
the HPCA Act. Although the Associate Minister of Health, Hon Matt Doocey appoints members
of the Tribunal, there are no subsequent reporting requirements specified in the HPCA Act
including audits.
Therefore, 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.
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
Ruihua Gu
Group Manager, Quality Assurance and Safety Regulation and Monitoring | Te Pou Whakamaru
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