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Official Information Request - Secret Protocol Meetings

Date:
Categories:
Official Information Requests

Sent: Monday, February 19, 2024 3:51 PM
Subject: Secret Protocol Meetings

I refer to your information request of 27 January 2024 below, which is being processed under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (the Act). I note that Council emailed you on 31 January 2024 asking you to clarify and refine parts of your request but we have not had a response.

As advised on 31 January, Council has a number of MOUs/protocol agreements with other parties. There are a number of LGOIMA responses on Council’s website regarding the protocol agreements/committees which may provide the information you require. Please refer to the following links to access these responses:

19 August 2022 - Official Information Request - Protocol meetings - Rotorua Lakes Council

27 November 2023 - Official Information Request - Protocol Meetings - Rotorua Lakes Council

17 January 2024 - Official Information Request - Ngati Whakaue Gifted Lands/Reserves - Rotorua Lakes Council

17 January 2024 – Official Information Request - Ngāti Whakaue Gifted reserves agreement - Rotorua Lakes Council

Regarding any perceived conflict of interest between the Interim CE and Ngāti Whakaue, the Interim CE noted the potential for a perception of conflict of interest and delegated (on 26 September 2023) the responsibility for all engagement and decision-making regarding Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust and Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands to the Group Manager, Community & District Development.

As advised on 31 January when asking you to clarify and refine your request, many of your other questions are extremely broad and would require a significant amount of time to collate, if actually possible. The balance of your request is therefore declined under the following clauses of the Act:

  • Section 17(f) – that the information requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or research.
  • Section 17(h) – that [parts of] the request is frivolous … or that the information requested is trivial.

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

Oonagh Hopkins Manahautū Whaitua Tūtahi | Deputy CE, District Leadership & Democracy
Waea: 07 351 8734 | Waea Pūkoro: 0272598677
Īmera: Oonagh.Hopkins@rotorualc.nz | Ipurangi: rotorualakescouncil.nz
Taunga: 1061 Haupapa St, Private Bag 3029, Rotorua Mail Centre, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand

Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2024 6:10 AM

Subject: Secret Protocol Meetings

Kia Ora,

Wanting to lodge a OIA Request please,

The council and its Protocol Committee; can I be provided with the agenda, Minutes, who attended as well as how long these meetings have happened ?

When did the council create the Protocol Committee?

Can other people have direct secret access to council or is that only for Pukeroa ?

In between 2006-2009 Malcom Short wanted the lakefront development to happen and was mentioned can I be sent information regarding this. It happened at council.

Can I be sent any / all I formation regarding Pukeroa oruwhata involvement with Rotoeua Lakes Council and any/all co flicks of interest .

How many conflicts of interest have the council allowed and ignored to ensure secret meetings continue.

I would like any and all information that the council has sent or recieved from Pukeroa Oruwhata that is publicly available regarding any committees or meetings. Any phone calls text messages emails, media releases in relation to POT requesting council address any issues etc.

The acting CEO of council is apparently dating a Pukeroa Oruwhata board member how is that not a conflict of interest for the Acting CEO dating someone who is on the Protocol Committee. So many secrets this council hides. Is that allowed?

Does the acting CEO at council and the Pukeroa Oruwhata board have any conflicts of interest considering they have their own secret Committee with the Mayor.

Will the council continue to have secret meetings and committees hidden from the public while it's advertises in the media they are transparent?

Can the council be honest about all the secret meetings and committees and support Rotorua as a total instead of only representing the few selected into its secret circles.

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