New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
20 December 2021
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Harold
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #15351 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 27764
Tēnā koe Harold
I refer to your email of 24 October 2021 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
I request copies of all communications (internal and external) generated by MFAT in the
processing of my two OIA requests: The 19 April request transferred to the Ministry of
Health (OIA 27407) and the request I submitted 4 May (OIA 27499).
On 22 November 2021, the deadline to respond to your request was extended to
20 December 2021.
The information relevant to your request is attached. We have withheld some information
under the following sections of the OIA:
6(a): to avoid prejudicing the security or defence of New Zealand or the international
relations of the New Zealand Government;
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy; and
9(2)(g)(i): to protect the free and frank expression of opinions by departments.
Where the information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, we have identified no
public interest in releasing the information that would 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.
If you have any questions about this decision, you can contact us by email at:
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision by contacting
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Julie-Anne Lee
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz