13 July 2022
Scott
[FYI request #17424 email]
Ref: OIA-2021/22-1037
Dear Scott
Official Information Act request relating to Eight NSG Documents (Follow Up)
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 25 February
2022. You requested:
ONE: On page 4 of your release document, it is noted that: "Over the past few months,
officials have undertaken a stocktake of New Zealand’s approach to the prevention of
violent extremism.” I would like to request a copy of this stock
TWO: I would like to request copies of Appendix A and Appendix C of 1819NSPD/094,
i.e., copies of "National Terrorism Threat Assessment (draft Cabinet paper)" and
"Counter-Terrorism Strategic Work Programme (draft Cabinet paper) + Attachments"
referred to on page 12 of your release document
THREE: On page 15 of your release document, it is noted that: "Officials from DPMC
met with Facebook in early March 2019. At that meeting officials discussed their
concern at the proliferation of terrorist content on social media platforms, and
requested Facebook be more responsive to the legitimate safety and security
expectations of the governments of countries where it operates. Officials also signalled
interest in disinformation and the role of social media companies in combatting it. I
request copies of all communications between DPMC and Facebook relating to this
meeting, and copies of any minutes, notes or other records kept by DPMC for this
meeting, and the briefing paper or aide memoire which resulted from it (if any).”
On 24 March 2022 the time frame for responding to your request was extended under
section 15A of the Act by 25 working days because consultations were needed before a
decision could be made on the request. Due to an administrative error your request was
overlooked in our system, and I apologise for the delay in providing you with a response.
Regarding part one of your request, DPMC has interpreted this to be for an assessment and
record of New Zealand’s approach to the prevention of violent extremism, generated before
the date of the briefing you refer to. Please note that this stocktake was not formally
recorded. I am therefore refusing this part of your request under section 18(e) of the Act as
the information requested does not exist, or despite reasonable efforts, cannot be found.
I am withholding
Appendix A - Counter-Terrorism Strategic Work Programme and Appendix
C -
National Terrorism Threat Assessment under the following sections of the Act:
• section 6(a) – the release of the information would be likely to prejudice national
security;
• section 9(2)(g)(i) – the withholding of the information is necessary to allow the free
and frank opinions of Ministers and/or officials.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4542413
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
Lastly, I am releasing to you email correspondence between the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) and Facebook Australia and New Zealand that is within scope
of your request. Some information has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act as the
withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of individuals.
I note that this was a courtesy call upon DPMC during a visit to New Zealand by one of
Facebook’s Public Policy team. The meeting occurred on Thursday 7 March 2019 and, in
responding to Facebook’s outline of its safety settings, DPMC raised the issues described in
the subsequent briefing to the Prime Minister (
Memorandum: Social Media and Harmful
Online Content, dated 19 March 2019 refers). DPMC subsequently received a follow-up
message from Facebook on 11 March (page three of the release document), setting out
some of its policies in greater detail. In the normal course of events, DPMC would have
prepared advice on the meeting after that, taking into account that follow-up. That tasking
was subsequently overtaken by the events of 15 March 2019, including the Memorandum to
the Prime Minister. DPMC was subsequently involved in detailed engagement with a
number of firms – including Facebook - in the development of the Christchurch Call.
In making my decision, I have taken the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of the
Act into account.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
We do not intend to publish this response on the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet’s website.
Yours sincerely
Dan Eaton
Acting Deputy Chief Executive,
National Security Group
4542413
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