Communications relating to Solomon Islands unrest

Scott made this Official Information request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The request was refused by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

From: Scott

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

I would like to make a request for copies of the following, dated since 22 November:

1) All emails between High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Georgina Roberts and MFAT staff in New Zealand
2) All emails between Deputy High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Hannah van Voorthuysen and MFAT staff in New Zealand
3) All cables between Honiara Post and Wellington

Yours faithfully,

Scott

Link to this

From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Thank you for your email.

 

We advise that New Zealanders do not travel overseas at this time due to
the COVID-19 pandemic, associated health risks and travel restrictions.
This do not travel advisory (level 4 of 4) applies to all destinations
except Australia and the Cook Islands. See the [1]SafeTravel website for
more information, including advice for those who are staying put and steps
you should take if you still want to try to return home. We encourage all
New Zealanders overseas to register their details with SafeTravel for
important updates.

 

New Zealanders seeking consular assistance overseas can contact their
nearest New Zealand Embassy or Consulate. Contact details are listed in
each country page on the SafeTravel website. For urgent consular
assistance after-hours, please contact +64 99 20 20 20 (monitored 24
hours).

For enquiries regarding:

·           Managed Isolation and Quarantine – Detailed information can be
found at: [2]https://www.miq.govt.nz.

·           Consular issues - or if you are a New Zealand citizen overseas
needing assistance, email: [email address].

·           New Zealand Scholarships - Use the scholarships enquiries form
available at: [3]https://scholarship.force.com/CommunityF....

·           MFAT Vacancies - visit our website at:
[4]https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/wor....

·           MFAT Graduate Programme - email:
[email address].

·           New Zealand visas and asylum enquiries - visit the Immigration
New Zealand website at: [5]https://www.immigration.govt.nz/.

·           Visas for other countries - contact the relevant foreign
representative to New Zealand. A full list is available at
[6]https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/embassies/.

·           New Zealand passports - visit the Internal Affairs website at:
[7]www.passports.govt.nz.

·           New Zealand citizenship - visit the Internal Affairs website
at: [8]www.dia.govt.nz/New-Zealand-citizenship.

·           Authentication of documents and Apostilles - visit the
Internal Affairs website at: [9]www.dia.govt.nz/document-authentication.

·           Bringing goods into New Zealand - visit the New Zealand
Customs website at: [10]www.customs.govt.nz.

·           NZ suppliers or companies - visit the New Zealand Trade and
Enterprise website at: [11]www.nzte.govt.nz.

·           To attest fingerprints - visit
[12]https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/having-fi...

·           For New Zealand police certificate/clearance - visit
[13]https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/how-do-i-...
 

For all other enquiries, you will receive a response in due course.  

 

Kind regards,

 

 

MFAT ENQUIRIES

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160

New Zealand

[14]www.mfat.govt.nz | [15]www.safetravel.govt.nz

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the
Ministry. It may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or
the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have received this
message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

References

Visible links
1. https://safetravel.govt.nz/covid-19-coro...
2. https://www.miq.govt.nz/
3. https://scholarship.force.com/CommunityF...
4. https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/wor...
5. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
6. https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/embassies/
7. http://www.passports.govt.nz/
8. http://www.dia.govt.nz/New-Zealand-citiz...
9. http://www.dia.govt.nz/document-authenti...
10. http://www.customs.govt.nz/t_blank
11. http://www.nzte.govt.nz/
12. https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/having-fi...
13. https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/how-do-i-...
14. https://outlook.orange.mfat.net.nz/AMast...
15. http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

hide quoted sections

Link to this

From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Kia ora Scott,

 

 

Thank you for your OIA request received on 13 December 2021 for:

 

1) All emails between High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Georgina
Roberts and MFAT staff in New Zealand

2) All emails between Deputy High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands
Hannah van Voorthuysen and MFAT staff in New Zealand

3) All cables between Honiara Post and Wellington

 

 

This email confirms receipt of your request and advises that we will
respond to it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in terms of the
timeframes and requirements of the OIA. Please note, the period between 25
December to 15 January, are not considered working days, as set out in
section 2(1) of the OIA. 

 

We will do our best to make decisions on your OIA request as soon as
practicably possible, and to keep you informed of progress if there are
likely to be delays.

For your information, the Chief Ombudsman has published updated guidance
on OIA requests during the COVID-19 emergency:

• Chief Ombudsman’s statement on official information response times
during COVID-19 lockdown(external link)

• FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19

 

Please note that our response letter to you (with your personal details
redacted), and any enclosed documents, may be published on the Ministry’s
website.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

Executive Services Division

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Scott <[1][FYI request #17934 email]>

Sent: Monday, 13 December 2021 3:07 pm

To: ENQUIRIES <[2][MFAT request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Communications relating to Solomon
Islands unrest

 

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

 

I would like to make a request for copies of the following, dated since 22
November:

 

1) All emails between High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Georgina
Roberts and MFAT staff in New Zealand

2) All emails between Deputy High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands
Hannah van Voorthuysen and MFAT staff in New Zealand

3) All cables between Honiara Post and Wellington

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Scott

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[3][FYI request #17934 email]

 

Is [4][MFAT request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade? If so, please contact
us using this form:

[5]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[6]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the
Ministry. It may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or
the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have received this
message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[FYI request #17934 email]
2. mailto:[MFAT request email]
3. mailto:[FYI request #17934 email]
4. mailto:[MFAT request email]
5. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
6. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Link to this

From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

I am writing concerning your OIA request below. This email is to advise that we will need to extend the time limit for responding to you by 25 working days, to 8 March 2022. This is because consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time frame (section 15A(1)(a) of the OIA refers).

However, if this process is completed before 8 March 2022, the response will be sent to you as soon as possible. If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at: DM [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.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <[FOI #17934 email]>
Sent: Monday, 13 December 2021 3:07 pm
To: ENQUIRIES <[MFAT request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Communications relating to Solomon Islands unrest

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

I would like to make a request for copies of the following, dated since 22 November:

1) All emails between High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Georgina Roberts and MFAT staff in New Zealand
2) All emails between Deputy High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Hannah van Voorthuysen and MFAT staff in New Zealand
3) All cables between Honiara Post and Wellington

Yours faithfully,

Scott

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #17934 email]

Is [MFAT request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the Ministry. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

hide quoted sections

Link to this

From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade


Attachment OIA 27856 response.pdf
359K Download View as HTML

Attachment OIA 27856 documents for release.pdf
5.5M Download View as HTML


[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

Please see the attached letter concerning your OIA request.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: ESD <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 31 January 2022 5:04 pm
To: [FOI #17934 email]
Subject: OIA 27856 - your Official Information Act request

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

I am writing concerning your OIA request below. This email is to advise that we will need to extend the time limit for responding to you by 25 working days, to 8 March 2022. This is because consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time frame (section 15A(1)(a) of the OIA refers).

However, if this process is completed before 8 March 2022, the response will be sent to you as soon as possible. If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at: DM [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.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <[FOI #17934 email]>
Sent: Monday, 13 December 2021 3:07 pm
To: ENQUIRIES <[MFAT request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Communications relating to Solomon Islands unrest

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

I would like to make a request for copies of the following, dated since 22 November:

1) All emails between High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Georgina Roberts and MFAT staff in New Zealand
2) All emails between Deputy High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Hannah van Voorthuysen and MFAT staff in New Zealand
3) All cables between Honiara Post and Wellington

Yours faithfully,

Scott

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #17934 email]

Is [MFAT request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the Ministry. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

hide quoted sections

Link to this

From: Scott

Dear MFAT,

Thank you for your response of 8 March to my request for communications from Honiara Post. I would like to make a follow up request.

I would like to request copies of all Formal Messages between Honiara Post and Wellington, dated since 18 March 2022.

Yours sincerely,

Scott

Link to this

From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Kia ora Scott

 

Thank you for your OIA request received on 15 April 2022 for:

I would like to request copies of all Formal Messages between Honiara Post
and Wellington, dated since 18 March 2022.

 

This email confirms receipt of your request and advises that we will
respond to it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in terms of the
timeframes and requirements of the OIA.

 

Please also be advised that the organisational impacts of implementing the
COVID-19 Protection Framework, together with the Ministry’s leadership of
the Government's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, mean that we
may have reduced capacity to process OIA requests. We will do our best to
make decisions on your OIA request as soon as practicably possible, and to
keep you informed of progress if there are likely to be delays.

 

For your information, the Chief Ombudsman has published updated guidance
on OIA requests during this time:

·       [1]Chief Ombudsman's statement on official information response
times during implementation of the COVID-19 Protection Framework

·       [2]FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19

 

Please note that our response letter to you (with your personal details
redacted), and any enclosed documents, may be published on the Ministry’s
website.

 

Ngā mihi

 

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <[FOI #17934 email]>
Sent: Friday, 15 April 2022 9:45 AM
To: ESD <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OIA 27856 - your Official Information Act request

 

Dear MFAT,

 

Thank you for your response of 8 March to my request for communications
from Honiara Post. I would like to make a follow up request.

 

I would like to request copies of all Formal Messages between Honiara Post
and Wellington, dated since 18 March 2022.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Scott

 

-----Original Message-----

 

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Tēnā koe Scott

 

Please see the attached letter concerning your OIA request.

 

Ngā mihi

 

Executive Services Division

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

 

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
[3]www.mfat.govt.nz | [4]www.safetravel.govt.nz

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[5][FOI #17934 email]

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[6]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the
Ministry. It may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or
the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have received this
message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

References

Visible links
1. Chief Ombudsman's statement on official information response times during implementation of the COVID-19 Protection Framework
https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/news...
2. FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19
https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/reso...
3. http://www.mfat.govt.nz/
4. http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
5. mailto:[FOI #17934 email]
6. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Link to this

From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

I am writing concerning your Official Information Act request below. In our initial scoping exercise, we have identified that the formal messages in this time period either relate to one of a few key topics, or are exchanged in the course of normal diplomatic business.

To assist us in providing you with information which is of interest to you, could you please specify if you are seeking formal messages concerning a certain topic.

Please note that in interpreting your request, we have considered formal messages where Honiara Post and Wellington recipients are copied in, rather than being the key recipients, to be out of scope.
Considering the above stated formal messages in scope would capture a significant volume of information. As such, it would be likely that your request will be refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as it would require substantial collation and research.

Please confirm if you are able to refine your request by specifying a topic to which the formal messages you are seeking relate, by 3 May 2022. If we do not hear from you, we will proceed with your original request.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <[FOI #17934 email]>
Sent: Friday, 15 April 2022 9:45 AM
To: ESD <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OIA 27856 - your Official Information Act request

Dear MFAT,

Thank you for your response of 8 March to my request for communications from Honiara Post. I would like to make a follow up request.

I would like to request copies of all Formal Messages between Honiara Post and Wellington, dated since 18 March 2022.

Yours sincerely,

Scott

-----Original Message-----

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

Please see the attached letter concerning your OIA request.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #17934 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the Ministry. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

hide quoted sections

Link to this

From: Scott

Dear MFAT,

Thanks you for your email. I'm happy with refining my request to be for formal messages only on the topics of:

1) The Solomon Islands-China security pact and the Solomon Islands-China relationship generally
2) The Solomon Islands International Assistance Force

Yours sincerely,

Scott

Link to this

From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

I am writing concerning your OIA request below. This email is to advise that we will need to extend the time limit for responding to you by 30 working days, to 7 July 2022. This is because consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time frame (section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA refers). Additionally, responding to your amended request still necessitates review of a large quantity of information, and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Ministry (section 15A(1)(a) of the OIA refers.

However, if this process is completed before 7 July 2022, the response will be sent to you as soon as possible.

Please also be advised that the organisational impacts of implementing the COVID-19 Protection Framework, together with the Ministry’s leadership of the Government's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, mean that we may have reduced capacity to process OIA requests. We will do our best to make decisions on your OIA request as soon as practicably possible, and to keep you informed of progress if there are likely to be delays.

For your information, the Chief Ombudsman has published updated guidance on OIA requests during this time:
•Chief Ombudsman's statement on official information response times during implementation of the COVID-19 Protection Framework
•FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19

If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at: DM [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.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <[FOI #17934 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 26 April 2022 6:10 PM
To: ESD <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OIA 28008 - your Official Information Act request

Dear MFAT,

Thanks you for your email. I'm happy with refining my request to be for formal messages only on the topics of:

1) The Solomon Islands-China security pact and the Solomon Islands-China relationship generally
2) The Solomon Islands International Assistance Force

Yours sincerely,

Scott

-----Original Message-----

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

I am writing concerning your Official Information Act request below. In our initial scoping exercise, we have identified that the formal messages in this time period either relate to one of a few key topics, or are exchanged in the course of normal diplomatic business.

To assist us in providing you with information which is of interest to you, could you please specify if you are seeking formal messages concerning a certain topic.

Please note that in interpreting your request, we have considered formal messages where Honiara Post and Wellington recipients are copied in, rather than being the key recipients, to be out of scope.
Considering the above stated formal messages in scope would capture a significant volume of information. As such, it would be likely that your request will be refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as it would require substantial collation and research.

Please confirm if you are able to refine your request by specifying a topic to which the formal messages you are seeking relate, by 3 May 2022. If we do not hear from you, we will proceed with your original request.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #17934 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the Ministry. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

hide quoted sections

Link to this

From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade


Attachment OIA 28008 response letter.pdf
367K Download View as HTML


[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

Please see the attached letter concerning your OIA request.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: ESD <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, 24 May 2022 1:08 pm
To: [FOI #17934 email]
Subject: OIA 28008 - your Official Information Act request

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

I am writing concerning your OIA request below. This email is to advise that we will need to extend the time limit for responding to you by 30 working days, to 7 July 2022. This is because consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time frame (section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA refers). Additionally, responding to your amended request still necessitates review of a large quantity of information, and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Ministry (section 15A(1)(a) of the OIA refers.

However, if this process is completed before 7 July 2022, the response will be sent to you as soon as possible.

Please also be advised that the organisational impacts of implementing the COVID-19 Protection Framework, together with the Ministry’s leadership of the Government's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, mean that we may have reduced capacity to process OIA requests. We will do our best to make decisions on your OIA request as soon as practicably possible, and to keep you informed of progress if there are likely to be delays.

For your information, the Chief Ombudsman has published updated guidance on OIA requests during this time:
•Chief Ombudsman's statement on official information response times during implementation of the COVID-19 Protection Framework •FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19

If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at: DM [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.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <[FOI #17934 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 26 April 2022 6:10 PM
To: ESD <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OIA 28008 - your Official Information Act request

Dear MFAT,

Thanks you for your email. I'm happy with refining my request to be for formal messages only on the topics of:

1) The Solomon Islands-China security pact and the Solomon Islands-China relationship generally
2) The Solomon Islands International Assistance Force

Yours sincerely,

Scott

-----Original Message-----

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Scott

I am writing concerning your Official Information Act request below. In our initial scoping exercise, we have identified that the formal messages in this time period either relate to one of a few key topics, or are exchanged in the course of normal diplomatic business.

To assist us in providing you with information which is of interest to you, could you please specify if you are seeking formal messages concerning a certain topic.

Please note that in interpreting your request, we have considered formal messages where Honiara Post and Wellington recipients are copied in, rather than being the key recipients, to be out of scope.
Considering the above stated formal messages in scope would capture a significant volume of information. As such, it would be likely that your request will be refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as it would require substantial collation and research.

Please confirm if you are able to refine your request by specifying a topic to which the formal messages you are seeking relate, by 3 May 2022. If we do not hear from you, we will proceed with your original request.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

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