Ministerial Power, Political Appointments, and the Need for Transparent Authority

DIA has now confirmed receipt of the clarification and advised: “Thank you for clarifying your request. We
will have a response for you by 22 May.”
This confirms that DIA has accepted the narrowed request for processing. If DIA later refuses, delays,
transfers late, or provides only general commentary instead of documents, this file note should be retained
for any Ombudsman complaint.
3. Reply to DIA
Tēnā koe Philip,
Thank you for confirming receipt of the clarification.
I note the Department will provide its response by 22 May 2026.
For clarity, I understand the request is now being processed on the narrowed basis set out in my email of 23
April 2026, namely high-level governing documents only concerning:
1. conflicts of interest and conduct;
2. recordkeeping and communications;
3. oversight and accountability for ministerial staff and ministerial offices.
The request does not seek individual case files, email correspondence, or Minister-specific material.
Ngā mihi,
Tracy
4. Internal Synopsis
This OIA asks a simple but serious question: who watches the people who advise Ministers?
The request was originally directed to DPMC and transferred to DIA. It asks for documents showing how
ministerial advisers, Chiefs of Staff, and ministerial office staff are controlled, monitored, and held
accountable.
DIA initially advised that the request was broad and may be refused under section 18(f) because of
substantial collation. In response, the request was narrowed to high-level governing documents only.
The response due on 22 May 2026 should show whether there is a real governance framework or whether
the system relies mostly on trust, convention, and nobody looking too closely.
5. Newsletter Piece
Who Watches the Ministerial Advisers?
We have another important Official Information Act request moving through the system. This one goes to the
heart of government accountability.
We asked for the governing documents that explain how ministerial advisers, Chiefs of Staff, and ministerial
office staff are controlled, monitored, and held accountable.
Why does this matter? Because these are the people who sit around Ministers, speak to departments,
influence decisions, communicate with agencies, and operate close to power.
DIA OIA2526-1100 | Working record | isayso.net

So the obvious questions are: what rules govern them, what conflicts must be declared, what records must
they keep, can private devices or messaging apps be used, who investigates complaints, who audits
conduct, and who is actually watching?
DIA first said the request was broad and could potentially be refused because it may involve substantial
collation. So we narrowed it. No emails. No personal files. No Minister-specific records. Just the high-level
governing documents.
DIA has now confirmed that the clarified request has been accepted and that a response will be provided by
22 May 2026.
That date matters. The answer should tell us whether there is a proper governance framework around
ministerial staff or whether New Zealand is running on a dangerous assumption that everyone near power
simply behaves themselves.
Show us the rules. Show us the records. Show us who is accountable.
isayso.net