New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
27 May 2022
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Valerie Morse
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #19129 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28051
Tēnā koe Valerie Morse
Thank you for your email of 13 April 2022 in which you requested information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA) on the New Zealand Government’s decision to support Ukraine’s
self-defence by contributing NZ$7.5 million for the procurement of weapons and ammunition by
the United Kingdom.
On 16 May 2022, you were informed that the deadline for providing a decision on your request
for information was extended to 30 May 2022. Thank you for your patience while this process
was completed.
I have responded to each of your numbered queries in turn below.
1: To Whom or which agency is the money being given?
The funds have been transferred by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MFAT) to the United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence. The funds will enable the UK Ministry of
Defence to purchase and deliver additional materiel to Ukraine’s Armed Forces through the UK
Ministry of Defence’s established delivery mechanisms.
2: What protocols, restrictions, guidance and/or limitations apply to the use of this money?
The New Zealand Government will retain control over the list of materiel purchased through a
consultation process with the UK Ministry of Defence, including final approval before
procurement. The provision of direct military assistance to Ukraine must achieve the
New Zealand Government’s objectives (including ensuring we are responding to Ukraine’s needs
in a timely, effective, and well-coordinated manner) without compromising New Zealand’s
values or international commitments.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade has exchanged letters with the UK Ministry of
Defence in which he has made explicit the New Zealand Government’s requirement that
New Zealand funds will not be used to purchase weapons that are prohibited by international
treaties to which New Zealand is a party; such as those relating to weapons of mass
destruction, anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, and other inhumane weapons covered by
the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and its Protocol.
3: What monitoring and/or reporting mechanisms are in place in relation to the use of
these funds?
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
In the exchange of letters, the UK Ministry of Defence articulated a consultation process through
which the New Zealand Government would retain control over the list of materiel purchased,
including final approval before procurement.
4: What monitoring and/or reporting mechanisms are in place in relation to the
distribution and use of the procured matériel?
The New Zealand Government’s funding contribution is to be used to cover the procurement of
materiel for the self-defence of Ukraine, in line with Ukraine’s capability requirements as advised
by the Ukraine Ministry of Defence to the UK Ministry of Defence, following consultation with
New Zealand.
The New Zealand Government has received assurances that the UK will take steps that it deems
reasonable and appropriate to ensure that the materiel purchased and delivered to Ukraine with
New Zealand funding are not used to commit an internationally wrongful act, including a
violation of international humanitarian law. The title, interest, and risk in the materiel will
transfer to Ukraine upon delivery.
Please note that we may publish this letter (with your personal details redacted) 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
