Dear K Jack,

I refer to your request of 16 October 2024 . As consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a response cannot reasonably be given within the original time limit, the University has extended the time limit for your request under section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA. The new maximum time limit for the University’s response is 12 December 2024; we will respond to your request as soon as reasonably practicable. You have the right to make a complaint to an Ombudsman if you are dissatisfied with this extension.

Yours sincerely,
Farleigh Quinlivan

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Dear K Jack,

I refer to your request of 16 October 2024. We apologise for the delay in providing a response. The University’s response follows.

“The new Recreation and Wellness Centre is due to open very soon on November 25th, 2024, after the plan was approved in 2018 and construction began in 2020.
Please provide:
a) A full overview and breakdown of the costs associated with building the Recreation and Wellness Centre, including but not limited to consultancy fees, demolition and relocation of the original facilities, design, and construction costs.
b) A comparison of estimated costs at the time of project approval versus actual costs incurred to the present date and anticipated by the Centre's opening date.”

Whilst the University’s new sport and recreation centre has recently opened, the project itself is still ongoing, and negotiations have not been concluded on the final financial accounts. As the total cost spent, and therefore breakdown of final costs is yet to be finalised, this part of your request is refused under section 18(g) of the OIA, as this information is not held.

“Alongside this, please also include any communications regarding the cost of the project to or from the offices of any senior management staff between August 2018-present.”

This part of your request has been refused under section 18(f) of the OIA on the basis that we cannot provide the information requested without substantial collation or research.

c) “A full breakdown of the funding sources for the Centre, including but not limited to how much of the annual student levy contributed to costs for each year since approval in 2018.”

As the project itself is still ongoing, this part of your request is refused under section 18(g) of the OIA, as the full and final costs are yet to be negotiated and finalised, and therefore this information (a breakdown of the funding sources for the centre) is not held.

d) “The business case for the Centre that was approved by the council in late 2018 and any relevant materials (e.g. research, proposals, bids) that contributed to the production of that document or the council discussion regarding project approval.”

The information requested in this part of your request is withheld under section 9(2)(j) to enable the University to carry on without prejudice or disadvantage negotiations.

“Alongside this, please include any communications regarding the project to or from the offices of any senior management staff predating that.”

This part of your request has been refused under section 18(f) of the OIA on the basis that we cannot provide the information requested without substantial collation or research.

You have the right to complain to an Ombudsman if you are dissatisfied with this response.

Yours sincerely,

Landon Watt
Legal Advisor
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland 

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