All Materials relating to MfE's Economic Impact Joint Venture Studies (EIJVS)
Keith Johnson made this Official Information request to Ministry for Primary Industries
Response to this request is long overdue. By law Ministry for Primary Industries should have responded by now (details and exceptions). The requester can complain to the Ombudsman.
From: Keith Johnson
Dear Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment,
I am preparing an investigative study of water policy in New Zealand, in the light of the growing importance of this topic world-wide.
See for example:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/worl...
I am aware that in 2014, the Ministry for the Environment commenced a programme of research to define the potential components of a package of policy measures to enhance NZ’s water management systems. This work involved collaboration with regional councils to:
‘develop additional economic analyses on the trade-offs involved in managing water quality and quantity issues (taking proper account of alternative valuations and uses) based on robust background research.
The required research was developed as a series of interlocking sector and special purpose studies within a Total Economic Value Approach to permit Scenario Testing.’
The overall study stream had the title: Economic Impact Joint Venture Studies (EIJVS).
I am therefore requesting copies of all the materials produced as part of the EIJVS, together with copies of all associated correspondence with ministers and stakeholders on the results of the studies and any associated downstream policy recommendations.
Yours faithfully,
Keith Johnson
[Dr J.K. Johnson]
From: Tom Crick
Dear Dr Johnson,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Please note, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is an independent officer of parliament, and therefore quite separate from the Ministry for the Environment. Because of this, we do not hold the information you require.
As per section 14 of the Official Information Act, I will now refer your request to the Ministry for the Environment.
You may also wish to repost your question to the Ministry via the FYI website.
Your sincerely,
Tom Crick
Communications and Information Adviser
Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
From: David Hammond
Dear Dr Johnson
I am seeking clarification of your OIA request dated 19 August 2015
regarding “ Economic Impact Joint Venture Studies” that was transfer to
the Ministry for the Environment from the office of the Parliamentary
Commissioner for the Environment.
At moment we have papers on our website that have been proactively
released
[1]http://www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/natio...
. Is this information on our website helpful or do you require something
more specific.
Kind regards
David Hammond
David Hammond, Senior Adviser, Executive Relations
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7688 Website: [2]www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01CF7A4B.EE0D0400
P Please consider the environment before printing this email
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References
Visible links
1. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/natio...
2. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/
From: David Hammond
Dear Dr Johnson
I am just checking in to see how you were finding the link I provided on
Monday. We would appreciate some guidance from you. Would you like MfE to
continue preparing a response to your OIA request or would you like to
come back with a refined request once you have assessed all the documents
on our website?
Kind regards
David Hammond
David Hammond, Senior Adviser, Executive Relations
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7688 Website: [1]www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
[2]cid:image001.jpg@01CF7A4B.EE0D0400
P Please consider the environment before printing this email
From: David Hammond
Sent: Monday, 31 August 2015 1:43 p.m.
To: [OIA #3065 email]
Subject: OIA 01490
Dear Dr Johnson
I am seeking clarification of your OIA request dated 19 August 2015
regarding “ Economic Impact Joint Venture Studies” that was transfer to
the Ministry for the Environment from the office of the Parliamentary
Commissioner for the Environment.
At moment we have papers on our website that have been proactively
released
[3]http://www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/natio...
. Is this information on our website helpful or do you require something
more specific.
Kind regards
David Hammond
David Hammond, Senior Adviser, Executive Relations
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7688 Website: [4]www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
[5]cid:image001.jpg@01CF7A4B.EE0D0400
P Please consider the environment before printing this email
show quoted sections
References
Visible links
1. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/
3. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/natio...
4. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/
From: David Hammond
Dear Dr Johnson
Under section 15 (a) of the OIA we are extending the due date for the
response to your request by 20 working days, due to the amount of research
and collation involved in preparing the response.
Kind regards
David Hammond
David Hammond, Senior Adviser, Executive Relations
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7688 Website: [1]www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
[2]cid:image001.jpg@01CF7A4B.EE0D0400
P Please consider the environment before printing this email
show quoted sections
References
Visible links
1. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/
From: David Hammond
Dr Johnson
We are partially transferring this OIA:
I am aware that in 2014, the Ministry for the Environment commenced a
programme of research to define the potential components of a package of
policy measures to enhance NZ’s water management systems. This work
involved collaboration with regional councils to:
‘develop additional economic analyses on the trade-offs involved in
managing water quality and quantity issues (taking proper account of
alternative valuations and uses) based on robust background research.The
required research was developed as a series of interlocking sector and
special purpose studies within a Total Economic Value Approach to permit
Scenario Testing.’The overall study stream had the title: Economic Impact
Joint Venture Studies (EIJVS).
I am therefore requesting copies of all the materials produced as part of
the EIJVS, together with copies of all associated correspondence with
ministers and stakeholders on the results of the studies and any
associated downstream policy recommendations.
The work began in 2012 rather than 2014. In September 2013 the
Environmental Economic Unit in which this work was being carried out was
transferred to the Ministry for Primary Industries, therefore, we are
transferring the request in relation to any information produced from
September 2013 onwards to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Kind regards
David Hammond
David Hammond, Senior Adviser, Executive Relations
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7688 Website: [1]www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
[2]cid:image001.jpg@01CF7A4B.EE0D0400
P Please consider the environment before printing this email
show quoted sections
References
Visible links
1. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/
From: David Hammond
Dear Dr Johnson
Further to my email yesterday we are fully transferring your request to
the Ministry for Primary Industries. This is because as well as the
Environmental Economic unit being transferred in September 2013,
responsibility for all the documents and their storage was transferred to
the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Under Section 28(3) of the OIA, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any response to your request.
Regards
David Hammond
David Hammond, Senior Adviser, Executive Relations
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7688 Website: [1]www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
[2]cid:image001.jpg@01CF7A4B.EE0D0400
P Please consider the environment before printing this email
From: David Hammond
Sent: Tuesday, 15 September 2015 3:50 p.m.
To: '[FOI #3065 email]'
Subject: OIA 01490
Dr Johnson
We are partially transferring this OIA:
I am aware that in 2014, the Ministry for the Environment commenced a
programme of research to define the potential components of a package of
policy measures to enhance NZ’s water management systems. This work
involved collaboration with regional councils to:
‘develop additional economic analyses on the trade-offs involved in
managing water quality and quantity issues (taking proper account of
alternative valuations and uses) based on robust background research.The
required research was developed as a series of interlocking sector and
special purpose studies within a Total Economic Value Approach to permit
Scenario Testing.’The overall study stream had the title: Economic Impact
Joint Venture Studies (EIJVS).
I am therefore requesting copies of all the materials produced as part of
the EIJVS, together with copies of all associated correspondence with
ministers and stakeholders on the results of the studies and any
associated downstream policy recommendations.
The work began in 2012 rather than 2014. In September 2013 the
Environmental Economic Unit in which this work was being carried out was
transferred to the Ministry for Primary Industries, therefore, we are
transferring the request in relation to any information produced from
September 2013 onwards to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Kind regards
David Hammond
David Hammond, Senior Adviser, Executive Relations
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7688 Website: [3]www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
[4]cid:image001.jpg@01CF7A4B.EE0D0400
P Please consider the environment before printing this email
show quoted sections
References
Visible links
1. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/
3. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/
From: Keith Johnson
Dear David Hammond,
On 16 September 2015 at 13:59, Keith Johnson <[email address]> wrote:
I will still require copies of all materials held on MfE files, especially those concerned with the genesis, management and transfer of the work related to Total Economic Value assessments across different sectors - and in particular communications with the Minister and his office relating to interim reports on the status of the work and the rationale for transferring the work stream to Primary Industries.
Yours sincerely,
Keith Johnson
Please note that I am preparing a complaint to the Ombudsman on this request
From: Simon Hoffmann
Ministry for Primary Industries
Dear Dr Johnson
I refer to your official information request on 15 September regarding:
“copies of all materials produced as part of the EIJVS, together with
copies of all associated correspondence with ministers and stakeholders on
the result of the studies and any associated downstream policy
recommendations.” An initial assessment of the information requested has
found a large number of documents. Therefore this request may potentially
be refused under section 18(f) of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA)
or a charge may be imposed for this information under section 18A(1)(a) of
the OIA. I invite you to consider if your request can be refined to avoid
the need to refuse or charge for this information.
I also draw your attention to a number of documents that have been
proactively released at:
[1]http://www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/natio....
If you would like assistance in refining this request, please feel free to
contact me.
Kind Regards
Simon Hoffmann | Graduate Adviser, Official Information Act
Office of the Director-General | Ministerials and Business Support
Ministry for Primary Industries - Manatû Ahu Matua | Pastoral House 25 The
Terrace | PO Box 2526 | Wellington | New Zealand
Telephone: +64-4-894-0333 | Web: [2]www.mpi.govt.nz
[3]cid:image001.png@01D08818.5D991310[4]cid:image002.png@01D08818.5D991310 [5]cid:image003.png@01D08818.5D991310
show quoted sections
References
Visible links
1. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/natio...
2. http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
3. https://twitter.com/MPI_NZ
4. http://www.youtube.com/minprimaryindustr...
5. http://www.linkedin.com/company/new-zeal...
From: Keith Johnson
Dear Simon Hoffmann,
Kindly inform your superiors that I find it impossible to believe that MfE no longer holds any information on the genesis, conduct, management and transfer to Primary Industries of the Economic Impact Joint Venture Studies and that I have laid a complaint with the Ombudsman about the manner in which this request has been handled
Yours sincerely,
Keith Johnson
From: Keith Johnson
Dear Simon Hoffmann,
The Ombudsman has asked me to remind you that MfE is in breach of its statutory obligations in regard to my outstanding OIA request.
Yours sincerely,
Keith Johnson
From: Simon Hoffmann
Ministry for Primary Industries
Dear Dr Johnson,
I note your concerns with your request to the Ministry for the Environment
(MFE) and will ensure they are passed on to MFE. Just to clarify, I am an
Adviser from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), we have received
your request via a transfer from MFE. My response sent yesterday referred
to information held by MPI, of which there is a large amount. If you
would like assistance refining your request with respect to information
held by MPI please let me know.
Yours Sincerely
Simon Hoffmann | Graduate Adviser, Official Information Act
Office of the Director-General | Ministerials and Business Support
Ministry for Primary Industries - Manatū Ahu Matua | Pastoral House 25 The
Terrace | PO Box 2526 | Wellington | New Zealand
Telephone: +64-4-894-0333 | Web: [1]www.mpi.govt.nz
[2]cid:image001.png@01D08818.5D991310[3]cid:image002.png@01D08818.5D991310 [4]cid:image003.png@01D08818.5D991310
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From: David Hammond
Dear Dr Johnson
We are treating your request for information regarding the transfer of the Environmental Economic Unit to the Ministry for Primary Industries as a separate and new request, and will reply to that as soon as possible under the OIA.
The previous request was transferred to MPI simply because they have responsibility for documents produced by the Environmental Economic unit before it was transferred to the Ministry for Primary Industries. I understand they have replied to your request asking you to refine your original request.
Regards
David Hammond
David Hammond, Senior Adviser, Executive Relations
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7688 Website: www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
Please consider the environment before printing this email
show quoted sections
From: Simon Hoffmann
Ministry for Primary Industries
Hi Keith Johnson,
I’m the director responsible for the team and work that was created under
the Economic Impact Joint Venture Studies as part of the Government’s
water reforms. The Ministry for the Environment transferred your request
to me because I am now responsible for that area of work.
We would like to help provide information that will be helpful to you but
you have asked for all documents covering more than 18 months’ work, which
is such a large volume of material that I am refusing your request until
you have refined your request further.
We have pointed you to several web pages where the results of the studies
have been published and have asked you to get in touch with us to refine
your request.
If you would like to call or email me we can discuss what information has
already been published and what further specific information would be
useful to you that is reasonable for us to provide.
David Wansbrough
Director Resource Policy
Ministry for Primary Industries
027-514-9931
04-894-3414
[1][email address]
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References
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1. mailto:[email address]
From: Keith Johnson
Dear Simon Hoffmann,
I am concerned as a matter of public interest that the Economic Impact Joint Venture Studies (EIJVS).programme of work was poorly conceived, badly conducted and wasteful in terms of government workforce and financial resources. Your responses thus far have given me no assurance that my concerns are unfounded.
I will continue to pursue my inquires and, as I am sure you are aware, I have complained to the Ombudsman about the way in which my OIA has been treated with attempts to stall, offload and then block.
At the very least, you should immediately provide me with:
1. All documentation provided to the Chief Executive and the Executive Team from staff concerning the genesis, conduct, monitoring and evaluation of the programme of work
2. All documentation from the department to the Minister and the Minister's Office concerning the genesis, conduct, monitoring and evaluation of the programme of work, together with the responses received.
With best regards Keith
[Dr Keith Johnson]
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Keith Johnson left an annotation ()
I do not regard your response so far as adequate. I am requesting all correspondence / advice concerned with using the Total Economic Value approach to water use management.
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