Official Information Request - 24 June 2020

Sent: Wednesday, 24 June 2020 12:07 pm

Subject: Official Information request - Covid quarantine hub

I refer to your online Official Information request 'please tell me if the council negotiated and agreed to allow Rotorua to become a Covid quarantine hub?'

Council was not part of the decision to bring people to Rotorua for managed isolation. The decision was made by the Defence Force and/or Minister Megan Woods' office who oversee the managed isolation of returning New Zealanders.

Council was notified on Friday 19 June by the Defence Force about the decision to use currently closed Rotorua hotels for managed isolation of people arriving in New Zealand, and the Mayor was informed on Saturday that some of these people were arriving that night.

As per the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, you have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Complaints can be sent by email to info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, by fax to (04) 471 2254, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters' personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.

Regards

Further request 1 (24 June)

I would appreciate a copy of the notification sent to the RDC informing them of the quarantine, together with a copy of the councils' response.

Response:

Both the Friday and Saturday notifications were via phone calls from Defence Force personnel direct to Mayor Chadwick.

Ngā mihi

Further request 2 (24 June)

Could I please have a transcript of the phone conversation.

Response:

The Mayor's phone calls are not recorded therefore a transcript cannot be provided.

Regards

Further request 3 (25 June)

Well,

That's convenient, something of the nature of this importance is all agreed and arranged with a phone call.

Staggering. Un-verifable, removes all accountability from both parties, and reeks of further public deception.

Can you confirm that the RDC has received no operational instruction from the government agencies controlling this process

Can you please ask the Mayor to provide details of the conversion to me..

Response:

As advised, Council was not involved in the decision making nor had any control over the decision to use Rotorua hotels as Covid managed-isolation facilities. This decision was made the Defence Force and/or Minister Megan Woods' office

The phone calls to the Mayor were courtesy calls to keep her and Council informed.

Council has not received any operational instruction from the government agencies, nor does it have details of the conversations between the Mayor and the Defence Force

Your request is therefore declined under section 17(e) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 'that the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist or cannot be found'.

Regards