On how many occasions, if any, during the 2025 calendar year did each agency for which the Minister has responsibility suggest to a requestor that a fee would be charged for providing information requested under the Official Information Act and for each instance what was the cost suggested, the reason for the charge, and the date of the request?

Answer

KiwiRail has suggested the need to apply a charge for an Official Information Act request three times in the 2025 calendar year. Once in January, once in April and once in November. In all instances it was suggested that a charge would be applied due to the requirement to engage specialist external expertise to process the request. It was proposed that the requestor cover 50 per cent of the actual cost of the work required, but these did not progress to an actual quote for time required. This is in line with Ombudsman guidance. For Ferry Holdings Limited None.