OIAD-3501
31 October 2023
Chris Mccashin
[FYI request #23935 email]
Tēnā koe Chris
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation which was transferred from
Hon Carmel Sepuloni’s Office and received on 18 October 2023, in which you asked:
‘Please provide the most recent report completed by the Government and their
individual agencies that have funding in excess of $20m that report on:
•
How the agency tackles exploitation risks in their operations and supply chain
•
Specifically looking for supply chains relating to individual agencies and
electric cars
•
Specifically looking for supply chains relating to individual agencies and
mobile phones
•
Specifically looking for supply chains for any products the government buys in
bulk that require rare earth minerals mined in third world countries contributing
to modern slavery’
We have accepted transfer of your request which has been considered under the Official
Information Act 1982.
Your questions and our responses are listed below:
1.
How the agency tackles exploitation risks in their operations and supply chain:
The Department is committed to sustainable business and has developed a
“Sustainable Business Practices Plan” which focuses on the protection of the
environment and prudent use of resources. We are also committed to the
Governments Broader Outcomes objectives which seeks that respondents
demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, ethical supply and broader outcomes
through their tender or proposal responses. This includes seeking assurance from
respondents on their compliance regarding sustainable business practices, ethical
supply (inclusive of how they ensure there is no underpaid, unpaid, child or coerced
labour in their supply chains) and how they ensure employment opportunities for
priority social groups and the approach taken to ensuring fair-pay arrangements with
employees.
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Please note that we do not hold any specific reports covering how we address
exploitation risks within our supply chains. This aspect of your request is therefore
refused in full via section 18(e) of the Official Information Act as the document sought
does not exist.
2.
Specifically looking for supply chains relating to individual agencies and electric cars:
The Department purchases its electric vehicles through the All-of-Government (AoG)
Motor Vehicle contract that is managed and administered by the Ministry of Business
Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Any questions in regard to electric vehicles and
their supply chains purchased under the AoG Motor Vehicle contract should be
directed to MBIE.
3
Specifically looking for supply chains relating to individual agencies and mobile
phones:
The department purchases its mobile phones through the Telecommunications as a
Service (TaaS) contract that is managed and administered by the Department of
Internal Affairs (DIA). Any questions in regard to mobile phones and their supply
chains purchased under the TaaS contract should be directed to DIA.
4
Specifically looking for supply chains for any products the government buys in bulk
that require rare earth minerals mined in third world countries contributing to modern
slavery:
The Department purchases laptops through the Desktops as a Service (DaaS)
contract that is managed and administered by the Department of Internal Affairs
(DIA). Any questions regarding laptops their batteries and their supply chains
purchased under the DaaS contract should be directed to DIA. To the best of its
knowledge the Department is not aware of any other purchases that may have
required the supply of rare earth materials.
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 Official Information Act.
Please note that this letter (with your personal details removed) may be published on the
Department’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
CJ Juby
Director, Business Services
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
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