New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
1 June 2021
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Scott
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #15141 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 27388
Tēnā koe Scott
I refer to your email of 12 April 2021 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
“This request relates to strategic goods export permits. I request, dated from the
beginning of 2018 to the end of 2020, the following data:
End user; Application #; Permit Type; Permit #; Date permit granted; Description of
export; NZSGL identifier;or all strategic goods export permits granted to law
enforcement, military or other government end users in the following 10 countries:
1.Saudi Arabia; 2.China; 3.Laos; 4.UAE; 5.Viet Nam; 6.Russia; 7.Oman; 8.Thailand;
9.Turkey; 10.Hong Kong SAR”
On 11 May we advised you that due to the necessity for further consultation, an extension of
15 working days to 1 June 2021 was required. Thank you for your patience while this process
was concluded.
From 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020, no strategic goods export permits have been
granted for exports to Laos, Viet Nam, or Oman. Additionally, for the relevant period no
permits have been granted for exports to law enforcement, military or other government end
users in Hong Kong SAR, Russia, UAE or China.
Export permits for Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Turkey are attached. We have withheld some
portions of the documents under the following sections of the OIA:
9(2)(ba): to protect the supply of confidential information by a third party; and
9(2)(b)(ii): to avoid prejudice to the commercial position of another party.
Please note, for permits granted general consents, the exports may not yet have taken place.
Where the information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, we have identified no
public interest in releasing the information that would be sufficient to override the reasons for
withholding it.
Please note that we may publish this letter (with your personal details redacted) and enclosed
documents on the Ministry’s website.
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
You have the right under section 28(3) of the OIA to seek a review of this response by the
Ombudsman.
Nāku noa, nā
Owen Thornber
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade