Ministry of Education launches review after leaked video regarding OIA comments

Tuesday 22 September 2026 · 7 outlets · 11 reports · updated Thu 24 Sep, 1:27pm

In this story Erica Stanford, Ministry of Education, John Allen, Ellen MacGregor-Reid, Catherine Law

The Ministry of Education has launched an internal review after leaked footage showed senior official Catherine Law advising staff not to create written records to avoid Official Information Act disclosures. The Ombudsman and Public Service Commissioner are investigating the matter, following requests from an education union.

How they headlined it

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Tue 8:38pmWed 2:51pmThu 4am12:12pm

1. The PressTue 22 Sep, 8:38pm

   Education union asks public service commissioner to investigate ministry official’s OIA comments (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

2. 1News via RNZWed 23 Sep, 6:22am

   Education whistleblower claims OIA subversion not an isolated incident (opens in new tab)

   • More claims of Education Ministry staff trying to avoid OIA come to light (opens in new tab) Thu 24 Sep, 12:12pm
3. Otago Daily TimesWed 23 Sep, 8:01am

   ‘Had a gutsful’: Education Ministry whistleblower says OIA subversion not an isolated incident (opens in new tab)

   • OIA subversion: Chief Ombudsman seeks urgent meeting with Education Ministry boss (opens in new tab) Wed 23 Sep, 4:50pm
4. StuffWed 23 Sep, 2:51pm

   Ombudsman calls for urgent meeting, considers further action, over ministry’s OIA meeting (opens in new tab)

   • Before we hang Catherine Law out to dry (opens in new tab) Thu 24 Sep, 4:00am
5. NZ HeraldWed 23 Sep, 3:13pm

   Chief Ombudsman has ‘significant concerns’ after education official’s leaked OIA comments (opens in new tab)

6. The PostWed 23 Sep, 3:17pm

   Chief Ombudsman seeks urgent meeting with secretary of education over OIA conduct (opens in new tab)

   • More Education Ministry staffers allege culture of avoiding OIA paper trail (opens in new tab) Thu 24 Sep, 9:55am
   • Education Ministry review reveals claims of ‘toxic’ workplace, bullying at curriculum centre (opens in new tab) Thu 24 Sep, 1:27pm