New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
12 May 2020
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
C Watson
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #12079 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
Dear C Watson
I refer to your email of 24 January 2020 in which you request the following under the
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
“Please supply the itinerary for the trip to the recently completed trip to the Philippines
that the leader of the opposition (Simon Bridges) and accompanying MPs.
Simon Bridges claimed that MFAT prepared most of it therefore I would like to know
which parts MFAT prepared.”
On 24 February 2020 we wrote to you to advise that the timeframe for our response would
be extended to 23 March 2020. This was because consultations necessary to make a
decision on the request were such that we could not make a proper response within the
original timeframe (section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA refers).
We also sent you an updated letter on 23 March 2020 advising that a decision had been
made on your request and that we would endeavour to get you the documents to you as
soon as possible. A large number of Ministry staff is currently working on issues relating to
the impact of COVID-19, which is putting pressure on business as usual work, however we
are doing our best to process all of our OIA requests as quickly as possible. We thank you
for your patience during this busy time.
The Ministry and the New Zealand Embassy in Manila arranged and supported the
delegation’s programme in Manila.
The itinerary for the visit is provided. Some details are withheld in full under the following
sections of the OIA:
• 6(d): to endanger the safety of any person; and
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy.
Where the information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, no public interest in
releasing the information has been identified that would be sufficient to override the reasons
for withholding it.
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
Please note that this letter (with your personal details redacted) and enclosed document
may be published on the Ministry’s website.
You have the right under section 28(3) of the OIA to seek a review of this response by the
Ombudsman.
Yours sincerely
Wendy Adams
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade