12 February 2025
OIA25-003
Luke Doidge Bailey
[FYI request #29693 email]
Tēnā koe Luke,
I refer to your official information request dated 6 January 2025.
You requested the below information in relation to the Manawatū District and Rangitīkei
District name proposals:
•
‘Any communications between yourself or your office and the NZ Geographic Board
and LINZ
•
any communications between yourself or your office with the Manawatu and
Rangitikei District Councils
•
any notes, reports, or other documentation regarding your decision to decline the
recommendations of the NZ Geographic Board to correct the official spelling of the
Manawatū and Rangitīkei Districts.’
I have interpreted the third bullet point of your request to be seeking signed copies of the
reports provided to me by the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o
Aotearoa (NZGB), in which I outlined my decision to decline to alter these district names. I
also confirm that neither I nor my office has had any communications within the scope of
your request with Manawatu and Rangitikei District Councils. As such, I am refusing this part
of your request under section 18(e) of the Act as the information requested does not exist.
I am releasing the requested information related to parts 1 and 3 of your request which you
wil find attached. I have decided to withhold some information in accordance with the
following sections of the Act:
• section 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of natural persons
• section 9(2)(h), to maintain legal professional privilege
• section 9(2)(g)(i ), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the
protection of employees from improper pressure or harassment; and
• out of scope
I am of the view that the withholding of the information is not outweighed by other
considerations which render it desirable in the public interest to make that information
available.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui,
Hon Chris Penk
Minister for Land Information
