Item 66 — “Search Warrant / Application – Animal Control” — Part Disclosed — “s8 – not relevant”.

I am writing with a second, discrete accountability question arising from the disclosure in the Brigitta Louise Maas matter.

The New Zealand Police Disclosure Index dated 27 August 2026 records, for the first time, a six-page document described as:

Item 66 — “Search Warrant / Application – Animal Control” — Part Disclosed — “s8 – not relevant”.

The Animal Control warrant application itself concerns 567 Galpins Road, Marton and records that, following enquiries within Rangitīkei District Council, a Police application for a search warrant may have been made within the preceding three months in respect of the same property.

This raises a straightforward disclosure and accountability question:

When did New Zealand Police first obtain, receive, become aware of, or exchange information concerning this Animal Control search-warrant application, and why was it not identified and disclosed in the criminal disclosure index until 27 August 2026?

Please also confirm:

what material was withheld from Item 66 under section 8 of the Criminal Disclosure Act 2008;

why that material was considered “not relevant”;

whether information was exchanged between New Zealand Police and Rangitīkei District Council concerning Brigitta Maas, 567 Galpins Road, Police search warrants, or the Animal Control warrant before the Animal Control warrant was applied for;

which Police officers and Council personnel were involved in any such exchange; and

the lawful authority, purpose, and recorded decision-making basis for that exchange.

This question is particularly important because the disclosure index shows that the statement of Animal Control Officer Lou Fairest-Harper had already been disclosed on 9 March 2026, while the actual Animal Control warrant/application was not added to the disclosure index until 27 August 2026.

I am not asking for this matter to be referred to the IPCA. I am asking for a substantive response from the Minister and the Commissioner as to the Police decision-making, information-sharing, and disclosure process.

Please answer this question on its own merits.

Regards,

Tracy

Not a lawyer