Tēnā koe,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information regarding the decision to deactivate the @NZHistory Twitter account:

1. Any internal communications, including emails, memos, or meeting notes, assessing the value of the @NZHistory Twitter account’s 11,000 followers as a public engagement and goodwill asset.

2. Any risk assessments or discussions regarding the potential loss of goodwill, audience reach, or public trust caused by the deactivation of the @NZHistory Twitter account.

3. Any communications referencing Elon Musk or his ownership and management of Twitter/X in relation to the decision to deactivate the @NZHistory account.

4. Any communications or discussions referencing the U.S. Presidential Election or concerns about misinformation, polarization, or hate speech on Twitter/X as factors influencing the deactivation decision.

5. Any policies, guidelines, or strategies discussing how the Ministry ensures neutrality and inclusivity across social media platforms, including Twitter/X.

6. Any internal communications, staff surveys, or meeting notes referencing staff concerns, stress, or emotional well-being as a reason for discontinuing use of Twitter/X, including any staff requests or demands for deplatforming due to perceived harm caused by the platform.

7. Any evaluations, analyses, or advice comparing Twitter/X’s effectiveness with other platforms for reaching the @NZHistory audience, including metrics like engagement levels and demographic reach.

8. Any communications referencing the decision’s potential to create public or political backlash, including concerns about perceived political or ideological bias.

9. Any media or public relations strategies prepared to address criticism or public questioning of the decision to deactivate the @NZHistory account.

10. Any specific mention of efforts to retain the account’s 11,000 followers through migration strategies or alternative engagement methods on other platforms.

Please provide this information electronically in its original format wherever possible. If any parts of the request are refused, I ask that you provide the grounds for refusal as required under section 19 of the Act.

If clarifications are needed to process this request, please let me know as soon as possible. I look forward to your response within the statutory 20 working days.

Liam Hehir

Kia ora,

Thank you for your email and for suggesting a refinement to my OIA request. I appreciate the Ministry’s efforts to streamline the process and ensure an efficient response.

I propose the following refined scope:

1. All formal advice and supporting documentation provided to leadership regarding the decision to deactivate the @NZHistory Twitter account. For the purposes of this request, “leadership” refers to the senior management team or any individuals or groups who had the authority to make or approve the final decision.

2. Any internal risk assessments or analyses prepared by the Communications team or other staff that discuss the impact of deactivating the @NZHistory Twitter account (e.g., loss of audience reach, goodwill, or public trust).

3. Any communications or documentation to or from any person with authority over the @NZHistory Twitter/X account referencing, in relation to the decision to deactivate the @NZHistory account:

a. Elon Musk or his management of Twitter/X; or

b. the U.S. Presidential Election or related concerns about misinformation, polarization, or hate speech,

I reserve the right to seek further official information if the refinement results in the exclusion of relevant information germane to my request as originally formulated. For example, if political disagreements with Elon Musk were a factor in considering the deactivation of the account at any point, I would expect those communications to be included in the information released unless a lawful exception under the Official Information Act applies.

The reason my original request was so detailed was to ensure that all important information was captured and not accidentally excluded.

I trust this refined request strikes a balance between efficiency and preserving the intent of the inquiry.

Please let me know if this refined scope is acceptable or if further adjustments are required.

Ngā mihi nui,
Liam Hehir