OIA24-325
Andrew Riddell
[FYI request #27955 email]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to your email dated 7 August 2024, requesting the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
“It appears, from news reports, that several ministers in the government have expert
advisory groups to provide the minister with advice additional to that provided by the
relevant ministry or department.
Do you have, or have you had, a transport expert advisory group set up?
If so, when was it set up, who are the members, what are its terms of reference, what
specific matters have you asked for advice on, and what reports or communications
have you received from that group. If it no longer operates when did the group end.”
There is one group within scope of your request: the Revenue Expert Advisory Group. This
group was established on 8 May 2024 and its members were Scott Wilson and Barney Irvine.
The terms of reference are attached as Document 1, and the one document prepared by the
group is attached as Document 2. Cabinet agreed to disestablish this group on 9 July 2024
following completion of the work it was set up to undertake. It will be replaced by a stakeholder
reference group to bring together expertise from across the transport sector, ensuring industry
views help to shape the policy development process.
One other group which I did not set up but which I sponsor, is the iREX Ministerial Advisory
Group. Information about this group is publicly available on the Beehive website. The terms of
reference
can
be
found
here:
www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-
02/MAG%20Terms%20of%20Reference.pdf and information about the membership of the
group can be found her
e: www.beehive.govt.nz/release/independent-ferry-service-advisory-
group-place
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of this response by the Ombudsman,
in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details can be found on the
Ombudsman’s websit
e www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Thank you again for writing.
Yours sincerely
Hon Simeon Brown
Minister of Transport