[IN CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL]
25OIA2082
2 April 2025
Matthew Ward
[FYI request #30473 email]
Dear Matthew Ward
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA), received on 20
March 2025. You requested the following:
In an article on the Radio New Zealand website from March 16, 2025 titled, "Why student
loan debt is going to get more expensive" the Inland Revenue is quoted as saying, "about
20 people who have defaulted on their student loans are being monitored for possible
arrest if they return to New Zealand".
I would like to request that information about that list.
1. Who is on the that list?
2. What will those people be charged with when they are arrested?
3. How long will they be detained?
Arrest at the border option
Arrest at the border, as someone is about to leave the country, is a last resort for Inland Revenue
after all other avenues to secure payment have been exhausted. Inland Revenue will always try
to work with our customers directly before pursuing legal action. There are relief options
available to help manage repayments for those who are in a position of hardship. Information
relating to the Student Loan Scheme Amendment Act 2014, which discusses arrests at the
border, is available on Inland Revenue’s tax technical website
(taxtechnical.ird.govt.nz).
Further information on student loans, including on living overseas with a student loans, is
available on Inland Revenue’s website
(ird.govt.nz).
Information being refused
Information regarding an individual’s student loan affairs is considered sensitive revenue
information under section 18 of the Tax Administration Act 1994 (TAA) because it directly
identifies a person. Therefore, as disclosure of this information does not fall within any of the
exceptions to the confidentiality obligation listed in sections 18D to 18J of the TAA, I am refusing
your request under section 18(c)(i) of the OIA, as making the requested information available
would be contrary to the provisions of a specified enactment, namely Inland Revenue’s
confidentiality obligation in section 18 of the TAA.
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[IN CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL]
25OIA2082
Right of review
If you disagree with my decision on your OIA request, you can ask an Inland Revenue review
officer to review my decision. To ask for an internal review, please email the Commissioner of
Inland Revenue at:
[email address].
Alternatively, under section 28(3) of the OIA, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
investigate and review my decision. You can contact the office of the Ombudsman by email at:
[email address]. If you choose to have an internal review, you can still ask the
Ombudsman for a review.
Thank you again for your request.
Yours sincerely
Kelly Paterson
Kelly Paterson
Customer and Compliance Services, Individuals
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