15 November 2022
Harold
[FYI request #18475 email]
Ref: OIA-2021/22-0953
Dear Harold
Official Information Act request relating to the Australia-New Zealand National
Security Dialogue
I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 7 February 2022.
You requested:
“ONE: A copy of the full document Australia-New Zealand National Security Dialogue:
Briefing Pack (12 March 2021) – i.e. including the parts of this document not processed
for release for the OIA request above as they were not in scope.
TWO: Copies of all other “Briefing Packs” produced for each Australia-New Zealand
National Security Dialogue since the inaugural dialogue in October 2016.”
I note the timeframe for responding to your request was extended by 60 working days
because your request necessitated a search through a large quantity of information and
further consultations were needed before a decision could be made on your request. On
2 June 2022, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) contacted you to
advise that the response to your request would be delayed. DPMC subsequently provided
two responses: the first on 12 August 2022 regarding the briefing packs for the 2021
Dialogue, and the second on 7 October 2022 regarding the 2016 briefing pack. Please note
that the Dialogue did not take place in 2020. In both of those responses you were advised
that the information within scope of Part Two of your request was still in the process of being
prepared for release and would be provided to you as it becomes available.
I am now able to provide you with a further response. With regard to the briefing pack for the
2017 Australia-New Zealand Security Dialogue, I believe it necessary to withhold these
documents under the following sections of the Act:
• section 6(a), as the release of the information would be likely to prejudice the national
security and/or the international relations of New Zealand, and
• section 6(b)(i), as the release of the information would be likely to prejudice the
entrusting of information to the Government of New Zealand on a basis of confidence
by the Government of any other country of any agency of such a Government.
• section 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of individuals, and
• section 9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the free and frank expression of opinions by or between
or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation or officers and employees
of any public service agency or organisation in the course of their duty.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4634539
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
I can, however, advise that the 2017 Dialogue took place on 7 August 2017 at Premier
House in Wellington. Logistics were coordinated by the National Security Systems
Directorate at DPMC.
New Zealand attendees were listed in the agenda as:
• Mr Andrew Kibblewhite, Chief Executive, Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet,
• Mr Howard Broad, Deputy Chief Executive, Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet,
• Dr Brook Barrington, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
• Ms Rebecca Kitteridge, Director, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,
• Mr Andrew Hampton, Director, Government Communications Security Bureau,
• Ms Helene Quilter, Secretary of Defence,
• Lieutenant General Tim Keating, Chief of Defence Force,
• Mr Chris Seed, High Commissioner to Australia, and
• Mrs Catriona Robinson, Director, National Security Systems Directorate, Department
of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (note taker).
Australian attendees were senior officials from the following agencies:
• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
• Department of Defence,
• Defence Force,
• Australian Security Intelligence Organisation,
• Office of National Assessments, and
• Australian Secret Intelligence Service.
As in other years, the 2017 Dialogue was to explore security challenges common to both
Australia and New Zealand, acknowledge any areas of difference, and reflect on partner
experiences. I am withholding most of the information relating to this Dialogue under sections
6(a) and 6(b)(i) as outlined above, including some topics and the associated briefing
material. However, I can advise that the agenda noted the following items:
• Foreign investment,
• Foreign interference,
• Protecting defence and other sensitive technologies, and
• The activities of foreign intelligence services.
The agenda also noted the following as anticipated outcomes:
• Test the extent to which we are aligned / different.
• Explore opportunities for a shared approach to specific areas of concern.
DPMC’s response to your request as it relates to the briefing packs for the 2018 and 2019
dialogues is ongoing and we will respond to you in due course.
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.
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This response will be published on DPMC’s website during our regular publication cycle.
Typically, information is released monthly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal
information including name and contact details will be removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Tony Lynch
Deputy Chief Executive
National Security Group
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