Report into management of Ministers’ papers

26 October 2006

Archives NZ releases report into management of Ministers’ papers

Archives New Zealand today released a review of its systems and processes for managing Ministers’ papers and security classified information.

Archives New Zealand commissioned the report by former Ombudsmen Mel Smith, following the accidental release by Archives New Zealand earlier this year of some of the late David Lange’s Ministerial papers.

Archives New Zealand welcomes the report, which has identified a number of opportunities for improvement. Archives New Zealand will be working internally and with other agencies to review and implement its findings.

“The integrity of the public record is, of course, of critical importance to Archives New Zealand,” said Chief Archivist, Dianne Macaskill.

“We have already put in place a number of improvements, resulting from the release of some security classified papers earlier this year. This report recommends further changes, some of which we can pursue immediately, and others we will need to consider further,” Ms Macaskill said.

A working group, involving Archives New Zealand, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and other relevant departments will be established to work through the report's conclusions and to report to Ministers on the issues raised.

The report notes the complexity of this issue, and the need to balance a range of interests such as security, access and privacy.

ENDS

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