The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora publishes several Tier 1 statistics from the New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS). Tier 1 statistics are New Zealand’s most important official statistics and must be released in a fair, consistent and transparent way. We follow the Principles and protocols for producers of Tier 1 statistics (PDF, 778 KB) to ensure our release process meets these standards.
One step in this process is an embargoed release of information shortly ahead of the publication. This is run under strict ‘lock-up’ conditions.
Purpose of the lock-up
Before each annual release, responsible Ministers and a small number of essential officials are offered a brief lock-up meeting. The purpose is to provide early access to results so they can prepare accurate, factual statements in response to the release. The lock-up is held within 24 hours of public release.
This limited pre-release access is an exception allowed under the Principles and protocols for producers of Tier 1 statistics (Principle 2 – Integrity and Protocol 5 – Release of Tier 1 statistics). The fact that it occurs, and who attended, is documented and published here to maintain transparency.
Process and security
- Attendance is limited to responsible Ministers, a small number of support staff, and nominated Ministry staff.
- No external communication is allowed while the lock-up takes place.
- Information shared remains embargoed until the official release time.
- No other material based on the embargoed statistics is released before this time.
- At the embargo lift, results are made available for everyone at the same time on the Ministry website.
Transparency
The Ministry publishes a register of everyone who attends the NZHS Tier 1 lock-up.
2025 NZHS Tier 1 lock-up register
3.30–4.30pm, Tuesday 18 November 2025
Ministry of Health
- Ruth Isaac, Deputy-Director General, Strategy and Policy
- Andy Bartle, Group Manager, Data, Analytics and Surveys
- Melissa Perks, Manager, Health Surveys
- Maria Turley, Principal Advisor, Health Surveys
- Kate Wilkinson, Senior Analyst, Health Survey
Parliamentary briefing
- Hon Simeon Brown, Minister of Health
- Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health
- Hon Casey Costello, Associate Minister of Health
- Richard Ninness, Office of the Associate Minister of Health (Hon Costello)
- Grace Spraggs, Office of the Minister of Health
- Sarah Key, Office of the Minister of Health
- Peter Dolan, Office of the Minister for Mental Health
- James Watson-Black, Office of the Minister for Mental Health
- Brooke Lacey, Office of the Minister for Mental Health
- Daniel Martin, Office of the Minister for Mental Health
- Monique Poirier, Office of the Minister of Health
- Brian Anderton, Office of the Minister of Health
- Thomas Wyatt, Office of the Minister of Health
