Culturally insensitive to release cost under the OIA!

The ODT reports:

The University of Otago is refusing to say how much it has spent on a Māori sculpture that is still under wraps, and has warned it will consider any further questioning about the object “culturally insensitive”.

Wow, a new ground to refuse under the OIA! It is now culturally insensitive to be questioned on cost!

Any public interest in a cost breakdown of the pou whenua was outweighed by other considerations, it said in response to an Official Information Act request by the Otago Daily Times. In the OIA response, the university cited a meeting the ODT had with the office of Māori development last year to discuss the sculpture where it highlighted the need for tikanga Māori to be respected. “In light of this, we consider any ongoing information requests in relation to the pou whenua to be of a vexatious nature and culturally insensitive.” The university needed to protect confidential information between itself, contractors and Ngāi Tahu. Revealing the information was likely to impact the supply of other information. “It is in the public interest that such information continues to be supplied, such that the university is able to work efficiently and effectively with its contractors and relevant stakeholders.” Making the project costs available would also be likely to prejudice the commercial position of contractors, the university said.

What a load of crap. I hope the ODT takes this to the Ombudsman.

Considering the university is about to lay off over 100 staff on the grounds it is running at a loss, I would say there is very high interest in the cost of a sculpture.