The appellant appealed the Ministry of the Attorney General's decision to deny access to correspondence between a reporter and the Office of the Public Trustee regarding a deceased individual's estate.
The Ministry initially claimed exemptions under sections 14(1)(a) and 21(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, but later withdrew the section 14(1)(a) claim.
The Inquiry Officer found that the reporter corresponded in a professional capacity, so the records did not contain his personal information.
Information regarding the deceased's estate was ordered disclosed as it had received wide media attention, meaning disclosure would not constitute an unjustified invasion of privacy.
However, the Inquiry Officer upheld the section 21(1) exemption for portions of the records containing employment and financial information of other identifiable individuals, finding its disclosure would be a presumed unjustified invasion of personal privacy.