Tēnā koe,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information related to the development, consultation, and proposed implementation of the Treaty Principles Bill. Please provide:

1. Policy Development and Consultation Timeline

- A detailed timeline of the policy development process for the Treaty Principles Bill, including:
- Dates of key meetings and decision points.
- Draft versions of the Bill and related policy documents.
- Minutes of meetings and internal correspondence related to the Bill’s development.

2. Stakeholder Engagement Records
- A comprehensive list of all external advisors, legal experts, iwi representatives, and other stakeholders consulted during the development of the Treaty Principles Bill.
- Copies of all submissions, feedback documents, and notes from these consultations.

3. Legal Advice and Treaty Compliance
- Copies of all legal advice provided to the minister’s office regarding the Treaty Principles Bill, including:
• Any analysis of the Bill’s alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
• Internal memos discussing the legal implications of the Bill.

4. Cost Analysis and Financial Implications
- A breakdown of the projected costs and resource implications for implementing the Treaty Principles Bill across all relevant government departments and agencies.
- Any budgetary impact assessments or financial risk analyses conducted as part of the Bill’s development.

5. Communications Strategy and Public Messaging
- Copies of the communications plan and strategy documents used to promote or explain the Treaty Principles Bill, including:
• Talking points, internal messaging guides, and media releases.
• Any correspondence with public relations teams or external consultants involved in shaping the public narrative around the Bill.

6. Correspondence with Business Lobby Groups
- All correspondence (emails, letters, meeting notes) between David Seymour and any business lobby groups, industry representatives, or corporate entities concerning the Treaty Principles Bill.

7. Impact Assessments on Māori Communities
- Copies of all impact assessments, reports, or memos discussing the potential effects of the Treaty Principles Bill on Māori communities.
- Any risk analyses or considerations made in relation to the Bill’s impact on Māori rights and interests.

8. Media Enquiries and Official Responses
- A record of all media enquiries received by the minister’s office regarding the Treaty Principles Bill and the official responses provided.

Format of Information Requested

Please provide the requested information in its original digital format (e.g., PDFs, emails, spreadsheets) where possible. This will ensure the information is provided accurately and efficiently.

Public Interest Justification

This request is made in the public interest, as the Treaty Principles Bill has significant implications for New Zealand’s legal framework and its relationship with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Transparency around the development process, stakeholder engagement, and financial impact of the Bill is essential for informed public discourse and accountability.

Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.

Ngā mihi nui,
Rhiannon Bond

Kia ora,

Following your request to narrow the scope of my Official Information Act (OIA) request, I have refined my request to focus on specific areas of high public interest and potential impact. Please provide the following information related to the development, consultation, and analysis of the Treaty Principles Bill:

1. Key Stakeholder Consultation Records

• A list of all iwi representatives and Māori organisations consulted during the drafting of the Treaty Principles Bill, along with any submissions or feedback documents provided by these stakeholders.
• This request specifically seeks information about engagement with Māori stakeholders to understand the extent of input considered from a Te Tiriti o Waitangi perspective.

2. Legal Advice on Treaty Compliance

• A summary or excerpts of the legal advice provided regarding the Bill’s alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. If full documents cannot be provided, please include any sections discussing key risks or legal considerations related to compliance with Treaty principles.

3. Cost Analysis for Implementation

• Any financial analysis or budget impact assessment related to the implementation of the Treaty Principles Bill, including projected costs for government departments and any risk mitigation plans.

4. Impact Assessment on Māori Communities

• A copy of any impact assessment reports or internal memos discussing the potential effects of the Treaty Principles Bill on Māori communities.

Format of Information Requested

I request that the information be provided in its original digital format (e.g., PDFs or emails) where possible.

Public Interest Justification

This refined request focuses on critical aspects of the Bill’s development that are directly relevant to public understanding and scrutiny, especially in relation to Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and potential impacts on Māori communities.

Thank you for your assistance in processing this refined request. I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.

Ngā mihi nui,
Rhiannon