4 July 2024
Hugh J Coon
By email:
[FYI request #27228 email]
Tēnā koe Hugh
Official Information Act request regarding Jannita Pilisi
I refer to your official information request, dated 11 June 2024, for information related to
Jannita Pilisi as a member of the Arts Council. We’ve considered your request under the provisions of
the Official Information Act 1982 (‘the Act’), which is based on the principle that information held by
government agencies should be made available on request unless there is good reason for
withholding it.
You requested the fol owing information.
Member Janita Pil isi is said to being overseas in Europe (Venice ?) in official capacity with
Creativenz Arts council.
Please confirm any and all cost or association of her visit in capacity of director board member
Creativenz Arts council.
Please confirm and supply any communication between member Pil isi and Creativenz staff
relating to the trip.
If not ,please provide any similar communication relating member Pil isi trips or delegation in
Creativenz Arts council capacity.
Please further provide all costs associated to member Pil isi appointment and ongoing role
including travel costs ,governance training or membership fees, catering!, etc. Or discussion of
requested funding /future costs for the role.
Jannita Pilisi’s term on the Arts Council commenced on 29 April 2024. Jannita Pilisi has not travelled
overseas in her capacity as an Arts Council member. There have been no communications between
Creative New Zealand and Jannita Pilisi regarding overseas travel. We are therefore refusing this
aspect of your request under
section 18(e) of the OIA because the requested information does not
exist.
Arts Council members receive an annual fee of $14,000 and Creative New Zealand supports the costs
of members attending Arts Council meetings or carrying out official duties. All official duties and
international travel are approved by the Arts Council.
Please see the table
below for a record of all costs and travel associated with Jannita’s role as an Arts
Council member to date. Creative New Zealand staff liaise with Jannita regarding travel
link to page 2
arrangements to attend Arts Council meetings. No future travel or accommodation is booked at this
point in time.
Date
Description
Cost
29 April – 4 July
Remuneration as Arts Council member.
$2,333.34
2024
(NB: Annual remuneration of $14,000; fees for Arts Council
members are set in accordance with the Cabinet Fees
Framework1).
27–29 May 2024 Flights to attend induction meetings in Wel ington.
$448.13
27 May 2024
Accommodation to attend induction meetings in
$247.20
Wellington.
28 May 2024
Catering for pōwhiri to welcome Jannita Pilisi in her role as
$709.98
Arts Council member attended by forty Creative
New Zealand staff and ten guests.
(Expenditure is
consistent with Creative New Zealand’s Sensitive
Expenditure Policy.)
18–19 June 2024 Flights to attend Arts Council meeting in Wellington.
$408.37
18 June 2024
Accommodation to attend Arts Council meeting in
$199.75
Wellington.
Total to date
$4,346.77
Creative New Zealand responds to all official information requests made in good faith in accordance
with the requirements of the Act. However, the name under which this request has been made leads
us to question whether your request has been made in good faith. The name appears to be using
racist and offensive language.
We have decided to respond to this request; however, we will consider whether it is necessary to
refuse any further request(s) as vexatious under
section 18(h) of the Act if this name is used again.
If you wish to discuss this response, please get in touch with Elizabeth Beale (Co-Manager, Policy &
Performance) via email to:
[email address]
You have the right under section 28(3) of the Act to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available Ombudsman’s
website a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui, nā
David Pannett
Senior Manager, Strategy & Engagement
Pou Whakahaere Matua, Rautaki me te Tūhono
1 Cabinet Fees Framewor
k: https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/guidance/interpreting-and-implementing-the-
cabinet-fees-framework