6 November 2024
John Luke
[FYI request #28920 email]
Ref: PMO OIA 170-2024-25
Dear John Luke
Official Information Act request relating to the nomination process for the Public
Service Commissioner
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act),
received on 26 October 2024. You requested:
“May I kindly ask what is the appointment or call for nomination process for
Public Service Commissioner? How many applicants you have received, how
many shortlisted and interviewed. What background check you have conduct
before appointment and may I kindly request to view the appointment letter sent
to the appointee if there is one and I am happy for you to remove any personal
information.”
I believe that the information you have requested is more closely connected to the
functions of the Minister for the Public Service, Hon Nicola Willis. Accordingly, I have
decided to transfer your request to Hon Nicola Willis, as the Minister for the Public
Service under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act.
The Minister for the Public Service has 20 working days from receipt of this transfer to
make a decision on your request.
I have also identified some briefings that are relevant to your request that were
provided by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Policy Advisory Group
to the Prime Minister. These briefings are provided to the Prime Minister in confidence
to support him in his role as leader of the Government and chair of Cabinet. These
briefings are withheld in there entirety under the following sections of the Act:
• section 9(2)(f)(iv), to maintain the confidentiality of advice tendered by or to
Ministers and officials
• section 9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the
free and frank expression of opinion.
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in section
9(1) of the Act. No public interest has been identified that would be sufficient to
outweigh the reasons for withholding that information.
You are entitled to ask the Ombudsman to review this response under section 28(3) of
the Act.
Yours sincerely
Cameron Burrows
Chief of Staff
4961467
