Cover Up of the Day

Police have finally provided some statistics to Stuff after earlier refusing an OIA submitted in January 2022.

A more than 900 per cent spike in police call-outs to just five Rotorua emergency housing motels can finally be revealed after the Ombudsman ruled data requested by Stuff a year-and-a-half ago, which the police admitted “paints a very unattractive picture”, should be released. […]

“This is particularly relevant given that MSD had engaged the services of significantly more motel service providers in the region,” police said.

Rotorua National MP Todd McClay blasted the initial police decision to keep the data covered up, and suggested political interference played a role.

“It should have been released straight away, however it’s clear that police have been instructed to consult with the minister’s office on Official Information Act requests, so it would have ultimately been the Government’s decision to withhold that information,” he said.

“This is the Government that claimed it would be the most open and transparent government ever. Rotorua people now know the extent of the effect dumping homeless people in motels has had on our town.” […]

“It shows that the whole system failed and Labour made Rotorua and the lives of these people worse.” […]

A promised response from the Police Minister’s office to questions about whether police were pressured into keeping the data secret failed to arrive.

Stuff also approached Rotorua-based Labour List MP Tamati Coffey who declined to comment.



Stuff

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