Tēna koe Ministry of Justice,

Please provide the Council with the following information:

1) Ministry of Justice internal guidance and standards for consultation exercises, including any forms that must be completed by officials deciding whether to consult the public or a more limited number of people or organisations, and whether to use the Ministry's online consultation tools.

2) Any advice, briefings or completed forms in relation to deciding on the form and scope of consultation regarding Commitment 7 of New Zealand's fourth National Action Plan as a member of the Open Government Partnership.

3) A copy of all submissions received in response to the Ministry's recent consultation on Commitment 7 of New Zealand's fourth National Action Plan as a member of the Open Government Partnership.

4) A copy of all correspondence and meetings notes and presentations shared with or received from: the Ombudsman, the Legislative Design Advisory Committee, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Parliamentary Counsel Office, and the Office of the Clerk regarding Commitment 7 of New Zealand's fourth National Action Plan as a member of the Open Government Partnership.

Under section 16 of the Official Information Act, our preferences are (a) to receive a copy of the whole of each document (b) that the information is disclosed in a text searchable format, either Word or PDF, (c) that it does not have a watermark of ‘Released under the Official Information Act’ or similar across the text and (d) that it is sent to the email address from which the Ministry received this request.

If the Ministry decides that there is 'good reason' under the OIA to withhold any of the information we are requesting, then under section 19(a)(ii) of the OIA, we further request that the Ministry provide us with the grounds in support of each withholding reason cited for refusal and the public interest factors favouring disclosure that the Ministry considered.

If the volume of information within the scope of our request is such that the Ministry is considering refusal under section 18(f), or any clarification is needed, please consult with us before making your decision on our request.

Ngā mihi,

New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties