Request for Official Information Regarding Reviews of Health Professional Education Programs at Te Pūkenga
Rodney Parsons made this Official Information request to Penny Simmonds
Currently waiting for a response from Penny Simmonds, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).
From: Rodney Parsons
Dear Minister Simmonds,
We are writing to you under the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982. We are currently conducting an independent review into possible issues within health professional education programs at Te Pūkenga, including potential maladministration and misconduct. Our intention is not to publicly release our findings at this stage; rather, we hope to assist in ensuring that the identified issues are properly addressed. Given the gravity of our concerns, we believe our findings will be of mutual interest to you. We will reserve disclosing those until we are clear whether you intend to uphold the intent of the Official Information Act, disclose the information requested and make a decision on whether to review the administrative actions taken within Te Pūkenga on this matter.
On 20 October 2024, we requested from Te Pūkenga copies of recent reviews of health programs. After providing further clarification, we focused on a specific timeframe and on particular health programs at Whitireia and WelTec. Although it is clear that a review exists—titled the “Whitireia WelTec Te Pūkenga Paramedic Suite Alignment Project Report” (also referred to internally as the “Paramedic Review Report”), completed in July 2024—Te Pūkenga’s response of 12 November 2024 denied the existence of this document.
Following our provision of an excerpt from the report, Te Pūkenga has, in our view, acted obstructively: on 13 November 2024, it restarted the OIA timeline, treating our clarification as a new request. We have referred this matter to the Ombudsman due to the concerning circumstances surrounding that decision. On 5 December 2024, Te Pūkenga then extended the deadline, pushing our request into the new year. This has also been referred to the Ombudsman. The overall handling of this matter raises serious questions about integrity and compliance with the Official Information Act.
In light of these concerns, we hereby request the following under the Official Information Act 1982:
A copy of the “Whitireia WelTec Te Pūkenga Paramedic Suite Alignment Project Report” (the “Paramedic Review Report”), finalized in July 2024.
All correspondence (emails, letters, meeting minutes, and related documentation) held by your office and associated agencies under your remit that relate to this OIA request, including any communications regarding decisions to delay release of the requested information.
Details of any actions you intend to take, or have taken, to address what appears to be an improper use of the Official Information Act by Te Pūkenga or its subsidiaries, including any plans to ensure future compliance and accountability.
We appreciate your attention to this matter. Ensuring transparency and proper administration of educational programs, particularly those related to health professionals, is of significant public interest. We trust that your response will help clarify the situation and uphold the integrity of the OIA process.
Yours faithfully,
Rodney Parsons
From: Penny Simmonds (MIN)
Penny Simmonds
Thank you for contacting Hon. Penny Simmonds, Member of Parliament for
Invercargill, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Tertiary
Education & Skills and Associate Minister for Social Development &
Employment.
The Minister considers all correspondence important, however, as she
receives a large amount of correspondence, it is not always possible to
provide a personal response.
Please note the following guidelines:
* If you are an Invercargill constituent contacting the Minister about
an issue, then your email will be passed to her electorate office.
* Invitations and requests to meet with the Minister will be considered
and a staff member will be in touch with you in due course.
* Requests for official information will be managed in accordance with
provisions of the Official Information Act 1982, which may include a
transfer to a more relevant Minister or agency.
* If your email falls outside of the Minister's portfolio
responsibilities, expresses a personal view, or is copied to multiple
Members of Parliament, then your opinion will be noted and your
correspondence may be transferred to another office, or there may be
no further response to you.
Please note that OIA requests and correspondence received in December may
not be answered until January 2025. Thank you for your understanding.
Thank you once again for taking the time to write; it is very much
appreciated.
The Office of Hon. Penny Simmonds
(Please note that this acknowledgement is an automatically generated
email.)
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From: Penny Simmonds (MIN)
Penny Simmonds
Dear Rodney,
Thank you for your email of 6 December in which you submitted an Official
Information Act request, in which you have requested:
A copy of the “Whitireia WelTec Te Pûkenga Paramedic Suite Alignment
Project Report” (the “Paramedic Review Report”), finalized in July 2024.
All correspondence (emails, letters, meeting minutes, and related
documentation) held by your office and associated agencies under your
remit that relate to this OIA request, including any communications
regarding decisions to delay release of the requested information.
Details of any actions you intend to take, or have taken, to address what
appears to be an improper use of the Official Information Act by Te
Pûkenga or its subsidiaries, including any plans to ensure future
compliance and accountability.
Minister Simmonds is considering your request in accordance with the Act,
and you can expect a response by 27 January 2025.
Kind regards,
Office of Hon Penny Simmonds
Minister for the Environment | Tertiary Education and Skills
Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
P: 04 817 6815
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Authorised by Hon Penny Simmonds, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is
confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or
transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by
replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is
prohibited and may be unlawful.
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From: Penny Simmonds (MIN)
Penny Simmonds
Dear Rodney
Thank you for your request of 6 December requesting the following under
the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
A copy of the “Whitireia WelTec Te Pûkenga Paramedic Suite Alignment
Project Report” (the “Paramedic Review Report”), finalized in July 2024.
All correspondence (emails, letters, meeting minutes, and related
documentation) held by your office and associated agencies under your
remit that relate to this OIA request, including any communications
regarding decisions to delay release of the requested information.
Details of any actions you intend to take, or have taken, to address what
appears to be an improper use of the Official Information Act by Te
Pûkenga or its subsidiaries, including any plans to ensure future
compliance and accountability.
I am writing to notify you that the Office of Hon Penny Simmonds, is
transferring your request to Te Pûkenga for response, as we believe the
information to which your request relates is more closely connected with
their functions.
In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the Act to
transfer your request. You will hear further from Agency regarding your
request.
You have a right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision to transfer your request. Information about how to make a
complaint is available at [1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or Freephone 0800
802 602.
Kind regards,
Office of Hon Penny Simmonds
Minister for the Environment | Tertiary Education and Skills
Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
P: 04 817 6815
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Authorised by Hon Penny Simmonds, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is
confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or
transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by
replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is
prohibited and may be unlawful.
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References
Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
From: OIA
Kia ora Rodney
We write to acknowledge receipt of an information request you sent to the
Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Hon Penny Simmonds, on 6
December 2024.
Your request was transferred to Te Pûkenga on 12 December 2024.
Your request is being considered under the Official Information Act 1982.
Allowing for the summer holiday period (25 December – 15 January) you can
expect a decision on your request within 20 working days, by 31 January
2025.
Ngâ mihi
Cat
Office of the Chief Executive
Level 2, Wintec House
Cnr Anglesea & Nisbet Streets
Hamilton 3204
—
[1]tepûkenga.ac.nz
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References
Visible links
1. https://www.tepûkenga.ac.nz/
http://www.tepukenga.ac.nz/
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