Kia ora koutou,

Can i have the submission the Minister received regarding the name change of Petone? Information regarding other name changes is out of scope.

I am specifically interested in a copy of the document returned from the Ministers office to LINZ (or other relevant agency). To clarify, want the document that recorded his decision, not a blank copy of the document prior to being sent to his office.

I am also interested in any follow up questions from the Minister and his private secretaries to LINZ or other agencies in the two months prior to this decision being made. This should include any form of communication including verbal.

I also request the reasoning the Minister has used to reject this decision.

I note that page 7 of the Ombudsman's guide for requesters states:
"Official information means any information held by an agency subject to the OIA or LGOIMA. Official information is not just documents or papers. It includes information held in any format, such as information which is known to an agency but which has not yet been recorded in writing or otherwise.

Please consider the below in response to your OIA
I do not believe it is appropriate to refuse under section 18(e) just because this information is not written down. Writing down information does not constitute the formation of new information either.
I believe the public interest in the above requested information falls on the side of disclosure given the high number of submissions made for the name change, as the significantly lower of submissions received against the name change.
I request the Minister consider sections Section 19(a)(i) and Secton 19(a)(ii) for any information refused or withheld in this response.
If this request risks refusal under section 18(f) please contact me and explain what parts of the request are an issue (do not propose your own scope)
Ngā manaakitanga

Clendon D