OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT 1982 REQUEST To: Chief Executive Rangitīkei District Council

OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT 1982 REQUEST
To:
Chief Executive
Rangitīkei District Council

Date:9 February 2026

This request is made pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982.

I seek official information relating to rates enforcement, escalation decisions, and coordination with external enforcement or prosecutorial bodies undertaken by Rangitīkei District Council for the period 1 January 2023 to present.


1. Communications regarding rates enforcement and escalation
   All communications (including emails, letters, text messages, meeting minutes, file notes, internal memoranda, and briefing papers) between:

- elected members (Mayor and Councillors),
- the Chief Executive and senior council officers,
- council-controlled organisations, shared services, or contractors,
- and any external agencies (including Police, prosecutors, or regulatory bodies),

that refer to or concern rates non-payment, enforcement escalation, debt recovery strategy, prosecutions, regulatory action, or coordinated enforcement activity.
2. Authority and decision-making
   All documents identifying who authorised or approved any escalation of enforcement action beyond standard civil rates recovery processes, including internal approvals, delegations of authority, or directions by elected members or senior management.
3. Policies and guidance
   Any policies, guidance documents, internal instructions, or informal directives concerning the use of external agencies, regulatory or criminal processes, or non-rates mechanisms to encourage, compel, or recover unpaid rates.
4. Coordination with external agencies
   Any records referring to coordination, consultation, or information-sharing between Rangitīkei District Council and Police, prosecution services, regulatory authorities, or court staff, where such coordination relates directly or indirectly to rates recovery or enforcement objectives.
5. Risk and safety considerations
   Any risk assessments, legal advice summaries, or internal briefings addressing proportionality of enforcement action, public safety implications, or reputational or legal risk arising from enforcement strategies connected to rates recovery.
   
Format and statutory obligations:
- Please provide the information electronically (PDF or native format where available).
- If any information is withheld, please identify the specific statutory ground relied upon, explain why it applies, and confirm whether partial release has been considered.

This request is made in the public interest to understand decision-making, authority, proportionality, and process integrity in local government enforcement activity.

By:Tracy