26 March 2024
Adam M
[FYI request #26009 email]
Ref: OIA-2023/24-0672
Dear Adam M
Official Information Act request relating to DPMC staff travel with PM
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 15 March
2024. You requested:
“- the number of tickets purchased for you and your delegation to fly to Australia that
day
- the ticket class: whether economy (the works etc,), premium, business
- the cost of these tickets
- information of those who had a ticket purchased to them: title, are they your office, etc
- the names of those in your office who went: (precedence set by Simon Watts who
revealed the name and title of staffer who went to UAE with him:
https://fyi.org.nz/request/25237-cop-28-expenditure#incoming-97041 )
- were individuals airpoints numbers given during the ticket purchasing
- and any correspondence on the day of booking tickets to and from you/your office
staff”
On 15 March 2024 the Office of the Prime Minister contacted you advising that part of your
request was being transferred to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)
as one staff member who travelled with the Prime Minister on 5 and 6 March 2024 to
Australia is employed by DPMC. I refer you to the Office of the Prime Minister’s response
regarding the travel costs for the Prime Minister and his staff that accompanied him on 5 and
6 March 2024 to Australia.
I can confirm that Mark Talbot from DPMC travelled with the Prime Minister on 5 and 6
March 2024. Airpoints were not utilised for this ticket. The total cost of this flight was
$2,796.53 (NZ$). DPMC was invoiced directly for the cost of this ticket.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
This response will be published on DPMC’s website during our regular publication cycle.
Typically, information is released monthly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal
information including name and contact details will be removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Clare Ward
Executive Director,
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
4862051
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
