Official Information Request - Citizenship Ceremony process

Sent: Friday, 24 February 2023 3:42 pm
Subject: LGOIMA request - Citizenship Ceremony process

I refer to your Official Information request of 30 January 2023 regarding the citizenship ceremony process at Rotorua Lakes Council.

I respond below as per your email.

1. How are citizenship ceremonies run across your district/city, are they just run by council staff, privately organised, et?

Citizenship ceremonies are coordinated by council staff with information provided by DIA (list of people receiving citizenship certification). Ceremonies are held in-house.

2. Provide a list of all citizenship ceremonies which have taken place in your council’s district/city over the last 3 calendar years, including:

• The number of people who received their citizenship certification.
• The number of council staff who attended the event
• The number of councillors who attended the event
• The total cost of organising and running the event. Costs should include but not be limited to the following: travel costs, accommodation, staff hours, consulting, venue hire, catering, entertainment, advertising
• The location of the citizenship ceremony
• Number of local or central government staff who were not working for your council, but were working for another government authority

Please find attached below the information for bullet points 1 and 4.

Note:

• With regard the number of people attending the ceremonies to receive their citizenship certificates, council is provided a list of attendees by DIA. Invitations to the ceremonies are made by DIA. Council does not keep a record of those people that do not attend the ceremony.

Cost (average per ceremony)

Note:

With regard the costs:

• * Council invite a local school to attend and perform at the ceremonies. Council pays for a bus to transport the children to/from the council, along with a koha for the school, and provides biscuits and juice for the students.
  
• ** Council provides a native tree from the council nursery as a congratulatory gift for each individual or family attending the ceremonies. Average 15 trees per ceremony.
• Council does not keep a record of staff time to coordinate the ceremonies. This is undertaken as part of the officer’s business as usual.
• Council does not incur accommodation, consulting, venue hire or advertising costs.
• DIA contribute approximately $20 per candidate towards the citizenship ceremonies.

For bullets points 2-3 and 5-6, I respond as follows:

• The number of council staff who attended the event
• The number of councillors who attended the event
  All councillors are invited to attend the ceremonies. Council does not record the number of councillors, or staff, who attend these events.
• The location of the citizenship ceremony
  All ceremonies are held in the Council Chamber.
• Number of local or central government staff who were not working for your council, but were working for another government authority
  Council does not hold any information on staff not working for Rotorua Lakes Council who are involved with citizenship ceremonies ie: DIA. You would have to contact this department for this information.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, 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