Our ref 407022

Contact Michelle Taylor 

17 February 2016 Fairness iJl a'l

 

 

Official information Act investigation
Prime Minister
Request for Information concerning contact with Rachel Glucina regarding Rosie Cafe

I refer to my letter of 13 January 2016 concerning your complaint about the decision of the Prime
Minister to refuse your request for information about communications between the Prime
Minister, or his Office, with Ms Rachel Glucina regarding the Rosie cafe 'pony toilpulli'ng' matter.

I advised you that I had written to Prime Minister seeking some further comments. I have now
received a response from the Office ofthe Prime Minister, and I am able to advise you of my final
opinion on your complaint.

Having considered all the issues raised, I have now formed the final opinion that your request
should not have been refused,

The information at issue comprises the content of one text sent from Ms Glucina to the Prime
Minister.

There is no blanket exemption underthe Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) for 'affthe-
record' communications between Ministers and members of the media. Instead each case must
be considered on its merits

am not satisfied in the circumstances of this case, that good reason existed under section 9 of
the Act to withhold the information in order to protect privacy interests or an obligation of
confidence. Even if an obligation of confidence existed, 1 consider it is outweighed by the high
public interest in the information,

have reported my final opinion on this investigation to the Prime Minister and have
recommended that the content, timing and circumstances of the information should be released.

I have asked the Prime Minister to notify me by 22 February 2016 what steps will be taken to give
effect to my recommendation.

 

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Office oithe Ombudsman ii' ii)!
Tari te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata

   

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Office of the Ombudsman Tari te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata

At that time I will write to you again to provide further detail and to outline the actions being
taken on my recommendations. This will conclude my investigation.

Yours sincerely

loo Quits}-

Judge Peter Boshier
Chief Ombudsman

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