24 April 2024
45 Pipitea St
PO Box 805
Wel ington 6140
Mark MacDonald
Phone +64 4 495 7200
fyi-request-26068-
Fax +64 4 495 7222
[email address]>
Websit
e dia.govt.nz
Tēnā koe Mark
Official Information Act 1982 request, reference OIA2324-0723
Thank you for your request of 11 March 2024 for the following information from the
Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act):
1. Recommendation 14 of the Belinda Clark review, Independent Review of FENZ’s
Workplace Culture and Complaint Handling Practices (Nov 2022) is titled: "Conduct
complaints are investigated and determined by an independent body". The review
Report states: "DIA should provide advice to the Minister by 28 February 2023 on
options for how best to implement this recommendation."
2. Please provide all information around DIA's response to this Recommendation,
including all information post-28 Feb 2023.
On 14 March 2024, officials from the Department contacted you by email to refine the scope
of your request. As no response was received, your request for information has been
interpreted as official advice, which includes briefings, cabinet papers, and risk assessments.
On 10 April 2024, you were advised that an extension of the timeframe for your request was
necessary as your request necessitated a search through a large quantity of information. You
were advised that a response would be provided by 3 May 2024.
As per your previous request under the Act (OIA2223-0915), I can confirm that the
Department provided advice to the Minister of Internal Affairs regarding recommendation
14 of the Independent Review of FENZ’s Workplace Culture and Complaint Handling
Practices (November 2022).
This advice remains under active consideration. Therefore, I am refusing your request under
section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the Act, to protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of
the Crown and officials.
As is required by section 9(1) of the Act, I have considered whether the grounds for
withholding information are outweighed by other considerations which would make it
desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available. In this instance, I do not
consider that to be the case.
Access to the Ombudsman
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the Act, to seek an investigation and review of my
decision by the Office of the Ombudsman. The postal address of the Office of the
Ombudsman is PO Box 10152, Wel ington. Alternatively, you can phone 0800 802 602 or
e
mail [email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Jeremy Cauchi
Director Ministerial, Monitoring, and Capability
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