Has any staff member in the Minister’s office used a private email account to send or receive official information since the Government took office; if so, on how many occasions since 27 November 2023?

Answer

On 27 November 2023, the Private Secretary to the Minister for Land Information emailed a copy of the Briefing to the Incoming Minister (BIM) to their private email account on the advice of Land Information New Zealand. This was in preparation of the previous governments folders and email accounts being deleted as per standard process for the change of government. This ensured the BIM could be provided without delay to the incoming Minister for Land Information. Aside from this, no staff members in my office have used a private email account to send or receive official information since 27 November 2023.