Coalition document stays secret

The 33-page secret coalition negotiations document can remain under wraps, the Chief Ombudsman says.

Peter Boshier released his final ruling on the document yesterday, which said he did not class the document as ‘‘official’’ and Jacinda Ardern was entitled to refuse requests to release it.

The day after Labour and NZ First released their formal coalition deals, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told the media about another document soon to be released, which he described as ‘‘a document of precision on various areas of policy commitment and development’’.

Peters said the document had ‘‘directives to ministers’’ and would include the appointment process for diplomats.

Last month, when asked about the release of the document, and what details it contained, the prime minister’s office said it did not exist, at least not in an ‘‘official’’ way that would make it accessible under the Official Information Act.

The Ombudsman received two complaints relating to the prime minister’s decision.

He was then tasked with deciding whether the document was classed as ‘‘official’’ and therefore subject to release under the act.

Because the document has not been used since the formation of the Government and its contents not shared with any ministers, government departments, or anyone else subject to the Official Information Act, it was not classed as an official document, Boshier said.