Media responses and the Official Information Act
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) takes its obligations under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) seriously. This includes responding to requests for official information to media queries from journalists.
On this page
OIA requests may include requests for data, documents or summaries, however requests for interviews, comments or statements are not considered to be official information. The Ombudsman provides further information on what is defined as Official Information.
Requests for official information(external link) — Ombudsman New Zealand
Where possible, the communications team will provide media with a response within the timeframes a journalist has specified. However, where requests are complex or cannot be completed within the timeframe it would usually take us to respond to a media query, they will be directed through our formal OIA process.
There will be times when the communications team is not able to provide all of the information requested because there is a legal reason for refusing or withholding the information as outlined under the OIA. The reasons why the communications team may have refused some or all the information you requested is given below. Telling you about these reasons ensures that the Ministry is fulfilling its obligation under the Official Information Act to provide a reason for the refusal (section 19 of the Act refers).
Where any information is withheld under section 9 of the OIA, we do not consider that the withholding of this information is outweighed by public interest considerations in making the information available.
If you need any further information or clarification, please contact the communications team by emailing media@mbie.govt.nz.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of decisions we make regarding your requests for information. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
| Reason for refusal | Section of Official Information Act 1982 |
|---|---|
| The information is covered by a court order | 18(c)(ii)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| This information is publicly available or This information will soon be publicly available |
18(d)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| That document doesn’t exist or We cannot find any record of that document |
18(e)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| Providing that information requires substantial collation or research | 18(f)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| We do not have that information | 18(g)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| The information is commercially sensitive | 9(2)(a)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| The information is confidential | 9(2)(ba)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| This information is legally privileged | 9(2)(h)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| Negotiations are ongoing or the information would harm negotiations | 9(2)(j)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| This is still being considered by the Minister | 9(2)(f)(iv)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| The information would harm he security or defence of New Zealand or international relations | 6(a)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |
| An investigation is currently underway | 6(c)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation |