OIAD-3916
3 May 2024
Stephen Prendergast
[FYI request #26232 email]
Tēnā koe Stephen
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation, received on 26 March 2024,
in which you asked for:
‘advice given to the Minister on the role of the decision maker and the options for
delegation generally, and specifically in the Turoa Concession Application.’
We have considered your request under the Of icial Information Act (OIA) 1982.
On 26 April 2024 we made a decision on your request and noted that additional time was
required to prepare material for release. We also stated that this documentation (the first
tranche) would be provided to you no later than 1 May 2024.
On 1 May 2024 we responded to your request through the provision of two in scope
documents. At this time, we informed you that further time was required to prepare an
additional document for release. This document is now being released as part of our second
tranche response to your request.
The last document within scope of your request is provided and accompanies this response
as
‘Tranche 2 – Attachment 1 (outlined in the table below).
Item
Date
Document description
Decision
1
8 August
23-B-0344 – Briefing - Principles for
Released in part –
2023
delegation of Ministerial powers to DOC
9(2)(a), 9(2)(g)(i) and
officials
9(2)(j)
I have decided to release relevant parts of the document listed above, subject to
information being withheld under the following sections of the OIA:
• personal contact details of officials, under section 9(2)(a) – to protect the privacy of
natural persons, including deceased people,
• free and frank expression under section 9(2)(g)(i) – to maintain the effective conduct
of public affairs,
• confidential information, under section 9(2)(j) – to enable the Crown to negotiate
without disadvantage or prejudice.
National Office, 18-22 Manners Street, Box 10420, Wellington 6143Page 1 of 2
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of
the OIA and determined there are no public interests that outweigh the grounds for withholding.
You are entitled to seek an investigation and review of my decision by writing to an
Ombudsman as provided by section 28(3) of the OIA.
Please note that this letter (with your personal details removed) and attached documents
may be published on the Department’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
Stacey Wrenn
Director, Regulatory Delivery
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
National Office, 18-22 Manners Street, Box 10420, Wellington 6143 Page 2 of 2