133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
5 April 2024
Erika Whittome
By email:
[FYI request #26034 email]
Ref:
H2024037378
Tēnā koe Erika
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 8 March 2024 for:
“Please would you share the information on how you are issuing fines in the workplace
under this act, if you do not have designated authority under s191 of the health and safety
at work act?”
The Ministry are not issuing fines under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Ministry
enforcement officers had the authority to issue fines under the COVID-19 Public Health
Response Act 2020 for those breaching Orders under this legislation, not the Health and Safety
at Work Act 2015. That authority applied whether or not an offence occurred in a workplace.
I trust this information fulfils your request. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with
us, including this decision, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Phil Knipe
Chief Legal Advisor
Government and Executive Services | Te Pou Whakatere Kāwanatanga