iSAYSO
Office of the Ombudsman Complaint – Failure to Provide Information on National Fuel Security
To: Office of the Ombudsman
Subject: Complaint – Failure to Provide Information on National Fuel Security
This complaint is issued by Tracy Lynch, Attorney, under instruction from the InLandsAirWater Counsel – Private Trust.
Grounds of Complaint
There has been a failure by agencies to provide substantive information regarding New Zealand’s fuel security.
Responses have:
- Failed to disclose operational information
- Redirected responsibility between agencies
- Avoided direct answers to specific requests
Context
Government-commissioned material confirms that New Zealand is particularly vulnerable to fuel supply disruption following the closure of the Marsden Point Refinery.
Despite this, agencies have not provided:
- Evidence of monitoring systems
- Stockholding data
- Risk assessments
- Contingency planning
Issues Identified
1. Failure to Provide Core Information
Agencies have not disclosed:
- Monitoring capability
- Supply resilience modelling
- Operational oversight
2. Avoidance and Deflection
Requests have been:
- Redirected
- Narrowed or reframed
- Treated as unclear despite specificity
3. Public Interest
This matter concerns:
- National fuel security
- Infrastructure resilience
- Economic stability
Transparency is required to confirm:
- Whether monitoring systems exist
- Whether contingency plans are in place
- Whether risk has been properly assessed
4. Inconsistency
There is a clear inconsistency between:
- Acknowledged vulnerability; and
- Lack of disclosed operational detail
Outcome Sought
The Trust seeks:
- Investigation into whether the requested information is held
- Determination of whether refusals or transfers are lawful
- Direction to release:
- Monitoring systems
- Risk assessments
- Contingency plans
- Clarification of which agency holds responsibility
This matter raises significant concerns regarding accountability and public protection.
Issued by:
Tracy Lynch