Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wel ington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address]
| www.justice.govt.nz
3 April 2025
Liam Hehir
[FYI request #29075 email]
Our ref: OIA 117243
Tēnā koe Liam
Official Information Act request: Expenditure on The Pākehā Project
Thank you for your email of 5 November 2024 requesting, under the Official information Act
(the Act), information regarding the Pākehā Project. Your request was as follows:
I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982. My request
pertains to the decision made by the Ministry to have staff attend training by The
Pākehā Project, a programme that, according to recent media coverage and its own
promotional materials, appears to focus on themes that may be perceived as overtly
political, particularly concerning decolonisation and systemic change.
Given the principles of political neutrality and stewardship required under the Public
Service Act 2020, I am seeking detailed information on the rationale, decision-making,
and assessment processes involved. Specifically, I request the following:
1. Cost and Analysis: The total amount spent by the Ministry on staff attendance at The
Pākehā Project, including registration, travel, accommodation, and other expenses.
Additionally, any cost-benefit analysis or justification made prior to approving the
expenditure.
2. Effectiveness and Outcomes: Documentation or reports detailing the measurable
outcomes or benefits observed following staff participation, along with any
evaluations of the programme’s success or impact on departmental objectives.
3. Approval and Decision-Making: The names or titles of officials who authorised the
expenditure, along with any records of internal discussions or concerns raised about
the appropriateness or potential political nature of the programme.
4. Political Neutrality: Any steps taken to ensure compliance with the principle of
political neutrality, including an assessment of whether the programme’s emphasis
on decolonization could conflict with public service requirements.
5. Alternative Options: Records detailing whether any alternative cultural competency
training programmes were considered, and the rationale for selecting The Pākehā
Project over other available options.
I am particularly interested in understanding how the decision to engage with this
programme aligns with public service obligations to remain apolitical while pursuing
professional development.
On 3 December 2024, the Ministry of Justice informed you that an extension was requested
due to the need for external consultation, under section 15A of the Act. On 22 January 2025,
the Ministry provided you with the first of two tranches of information released in response to
your request. This letter and the attached documents constitute the second (and final)
tranche of information released in response to your request.
As set out in my previous letter, the Pākehā Project delivered two courses in the 2023/24
financial year:
• Course 1: Tiriti Workshops and Coaching – Train the Trainers Programme, which
was delivered to two cohorts from the Ministry of Justice’s national office (staff from
Policy Group and People Experience). It included:
o development of the peer coach training material and delivery of sessions,
o co-design, development and delivery of sessions, and
o peer coach supervision over one year.
• Course 2: Leadership coaching tools, practices and principles, and support in times
of dif iculty, stress, and change, delivered to a cohort from the Ātea a Rangi business
group.
The total amount paid to the Pākehā Project for the delivery of Course 1 and Course 2 was
$95,105 (excl GST).
Appendix 1 provides a breakdown of this expenditure.
Appendix 2 sets out details of five documents relevant to your request. Two of these
documents were previously provided to you on 22 January 2025. Some information has
been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect personal privacy.
If you require any further information, please contact Media & Social Media Manager Joe
Locke at
[email address].
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at
Official Information Act responses | New Zealand Ministry of Justice.
If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Act. The Of ice of the Ombudsman may be
contacted by email t
o [email address] or by phone on 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Marcus Akuhata-Brown
Pou Whakatere, Deputy Secretary Strategy
Appendix 1: Total amount paid to Pākehā Project to deliver Courses 1 and 2
Course
Course description and cohort
Cost ($)
Course 1
Tangata Tiriti workshops, coaching, and training the trainers
programme – People Experience
20,875
Course 1
Tangata Tiriti workshops, coaching, and training the trainers
programme – Policy Group
59,050
Course 1
Supervision for peer coaches – People Experience
3,680
Course 1
Supervision for peer coaches – Policy Group
4,600
Course 2
Leadership coaching tools, practices and principles, and support in
times of difficulty, stress, and change – Ātea a Rangi leaders
6,900
Total
95,105
Notes:
• Al amounts exclude GST.
• Excludes payments to other vendors for venue hire and catering.
• No accommodation or travel costs were incurred, as attendees were based locally.
Appendix 2: Documents relevant to your request
Ref Title
Date
Comment
Previously
Decision on
released?
release
1
Memorandum, Te Ngira
30 June
Relates to Course 1: Yes (22
Parts
Kāpehu – Policy Group –
2023
Tangata Tiriti
January 2025) withheld
the Pākehā Project –
workshops,
under
Tangata Tiriti workshops,
coaching, and
s9(2)(a)
coaching and training the
training the trainers
trainers programme
programme
2
Proposal for MOJ Policy
Undated
Relates to Course 1: Yes (22
Parts
Team – Tangata Tiriti
Tangata Tiriti
January 2025) withheld
Workshops, Coaching, and
workshops,
under
Training the Trainers
coaching, and
s9(2)(a)
Programme
training the trainers
programme
3
Memorandum, Te Ngira
3 July
Relates to Course 1: No
Parts
Kāpehu – People
2023
Tangata Tiriti
withheld
Experience – the Pākehā
workshops,
under
Project – Tangata Tiriti
coaching, and
s9(2)(a)
workshops, coaching and
training the trainers
training the trainers
programme
programme
4
Proposal for MOJ People
Undated
Relates to Course 1: No
Parts
Experience – Tangata Tiriti
Tangata Tiriti
withheld
Workshops, Coaching, and
workshops,
under
Training the Trainers
coaching, and
s9(2)(a)
Programme
training the trainers
programme
5
Proposal for MOJ Ātea a
Undated
Relates to Course 2: No
Parts
Rangi Leadership Team –
Leadership coaching
withheld
Matariki Leadership Support
tools, practices and
under
principles, and
s9(2)(a)
support in times of
difficulty, stress, and
change – for Ātea a
Rangi
Document Outline
