5/04/2024
Jacob
[FYI request #26011 email]
Tēnā koe Jacob
OIA: 1324346 – Australian Mathematics Competition
Thank you for your email of 6 March 2024 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) requesting the
following information:
In 2012 the Wellington Regional medalists and award winners in the Australian Maths
Competition were invited to an event at Parliament to receive their awards from the Minister of
Education (Hekia Parata). I would like to request all information regarding this event, including
a list of attendees and any photos available.
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
In 2012, the Ministry was commissioned to provide background notes for the former Minister of
Education, Hekia Parata’s attendance and speech at the 2012 Australian Mathematics Trust
presentation ceremony. It does not appear that a representative from the Ministry attended the
event.
Two documents have been identified in scope of your request, which are attached as
Appendix A,
and outlined in the below
Appendix A Document Table. Some information has been withheld
under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy of natural persons, and section 9(2)(g)(i) of
the Act, to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of
opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown and employees of any public service agency
or organisation in the course of their duty. As Ministers write their own speeches, we do not hold a
copy of the final speech given.
Unfortunately, as the Ministry does not appear to have attended the event, we do not hold a list of
attendees or any photos from the event. I am therefore refusing this aspect of your request under
section 18(g) of the Act, as the information requested is not held by the Ministry and I have no
grounds for believing that the information is either held by or connected more closely with the
functions of another department or organisation subject to the Act.
As required under section 9(1) of the Act, I have considered the public interest in releasing the
information withheld under sections 9(2)(a) and 9(2)(g)(i). I do not consider the public interest
considerations favouring the release of this information are sufficient to outweigh the need to
withhold it at this time.
Wellington National Office, 1 The Terrace, Levels 5 to 14, Wellington 6011
PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140, DX SR51201 Phone: +64 4 463 8000
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days. Your name and
contact details will be removed.
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision
on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to
[email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā
Julia Novak
General Manager, New Zealand Curriculum & Te Whāriki
Te Mahau | Te Poutāhū (Curriculum Centre)
OIA: 1324346
Appendix A Document Table
#
Date
METIS
Title
Decision on release
#
1
19
694205 Education Report:
Release in part. Information has been
Oct
Background notes for
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act.
2012
Minister’s attendance
and speech at the 2012
Australian Mathematics
Trust presentation
ceremony as the Guest
of Honour
1a
Speech Notes prepared
Withhold in full. Information has been
for: Minister Parata
withheld under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act.
1b
Draft news release
Withhold in full. Information has been
withheld under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act.
Please see final version at
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-
praises-student-achievement-maths-awards-
ceremony
2
1
N/A
2012 Australian
Release in part. Information has been
Nov
Mathematics
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act.
2012
Competition
New Zealand Awards
Presentation
DRAFT RUNNING
ORDER
OIA: 1324346
