Tēnā koe Mohammed,

 

Thank you for your email dated 16/05/2022 requesting information about
Mayor of Wellington's decision to oppose the commemoration of Nakba Day.

 

Our team will manage your request under the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 which requires us to provide a decision
as soon as possible, but no later than 14/06/2022, being 20 working days
of receipt.

 

The reference number for your request is IRC-3351.

 

Please contact us if you have any further questions.

 

Kind regards

 

The Assurance Team

Email: [1][email address]

Wellington City Council | W [2]Wellington.govt.nz | [3]Facebook|
[4]Twitter

The information contained in this email is privileged and confidential and
intended for the addressee only.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are asked to respect that
confidentiality and not disclose, copy or make use of its contents.
If received in error you are asked to destroy this email and contact the
sender immediately. Your assistance is appreciated.

 

[5]http://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/Images...

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammed Khan <[FYI request #19357 email]>
Sent: Monday, 16 May 2022 11:13 am
To: BUS: Assurance <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Andy Foster's support for genocide
of Palestinians

 

Dear Wellington City Council,

 

Please provide all correspondence, emails, agendas, briefing notes, text
messages etc regarding the Mayor of Wellington's decision to oppose the
commemoration of Nakba Day, recognizing the ongoing campaign of ethnic
cleansing and genocide against the legitimate native population of
Palestine/'Israel'.

 

This should particularly include communications with the 'Israeli'
embassy, and its various subject organizations such as the American
embassy, the 'Israel Institute of NZ', the so-called 'Indigenous Coalition
for Israel'.

 

Yours faithfully,

Mohammed Khan

 

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

 

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

 

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

[6][FYI request #19357 email]

 

Is [7][Wellington City Council request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests
to Wellington City Council? If so, please contact us using this form:

[8]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

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

[9]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

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.

 

 

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

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
3. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
4. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
6. mailto:[FYI request #19357 email]
7. mailto:[Wellington City Council request email]
8. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
9. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Mohammed,

Thank you for your recent LGOIMA request.

The information you have requested relates to a text exchange between Mayor Andy Foster and a representative from MFAT. In these circumstances, we are required under section 12 of the Act to transfer your request. As the information requested is believed to be more closely connected with them. We have formally transferred your request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade under section 12(b)(ii) of the LGOIMA.

As we have transferred this, you will hear further from MFAT concerning your request.

Ngā mihi
Claudia

Claudia Holgate
Senior Advisor | Official Information Team
Te Kaunihera o Pōneke | Wellington City Council

-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammed Khan <[FOI #19357 email]>
Sent: Monday, 16 May 2022 11:13 am
To: BUS: Assurance <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Andy Foster's support for genocide of Palestinians

Dear Wellington City Council,

Please provide all correspondence, emails, agendas, briefing notes, text messages etc regarding the Mayor of Wellington's decision to oppose the commemoration of Nakba Day, recognizing the ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the legitimate native population of Palestine/'Israel'.

This should particularly include communications with the 'Israeli' embassy, and its various subject organizations such as the American embassy, the 'Israel Institute of NZ', the so-called 'Indigenous Coalition for Israel'.

Yours faithfully,
Mohammed Khan

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19357 email]

Is [Wellington City Council request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Wellington City Council? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

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.

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

hide quoted sections

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Kia ora Mohammed Khan

 

Thank you for your OIA request transferred from the Wellington City
Council on 30 May 2022 for:

Please provide all correspondence, emails, agendas, briefing notes, text
messages etc regarding the Mayor of Wellington's decision to oppose the
commemoration of Nakba Day, recognizing the ongoing campaign of ethnic
cleansing and genocide against the legitimate native population of
Palestine/'Israel'.

 

This should particularly include communications with the 'Israeli'
embassy, and its various subject organizations such as the American
embassy, the 'Israel Institute of NZ', the so-called 'Indigenous Coalition
for Israel.

 

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.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

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

 

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

"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...

hide quoted sections

Tēnā koe Mohammed Khan

 

Thank you for your email dated 31/05/2022 requesting information regarding
the Mayor and the Palestinian people.

 

Our team will manage your request under the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 which requires us to provide a decision
as soon as possible, but no later than 30/06/2022, being 20 working days
of receipt.

 

The reference number for your request is IRC-3425.

 

Please contact us if you have any further questions.

 

Kind regards

 

The Assurance Team

Email: [1][email address]

Wellington City Council | W [2]Wellington.govt.nz | [3]Facebook|
[4]Twitter

The information contained in this email is privileged and confidential and
intended for the addressee only.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are asked to respect that
confidentiality and not disclose, copy or make use of its contents.
If received in error you are asked to destroy this email and contact the
sender immediately. Your assistance is appreciated.

 

[5]http://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/Images...

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammed Khan <[FOI #19357 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 31 May 2022 11:23 am
To: BUS: Assurance <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Official Information request - Andy Foster's support for
genocide of Palestinians

 

Dear Wellington City Council,

 

To be absolutely clear, are you indicating that the only "correspondence,
emails, agendas, briefing notes, text messages" between the Mayor and
other individuals or groups regarding his decision to support the genocide
of the Palestinian people were exchanged between Foster and MFAT?

 

You are confirming there were no communications between Foster and council
about this matter, and no communications with foreign embassies, foreign
lobby groups or foreign lobbyists like Sheree Trotter, Juliet Moses etc?

 

Yours sincerely,

Mohammed Khan

 

 

 

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

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

[6][FOI #19357 email]

 

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

[7]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

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.

 

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

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
3. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
4. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
6. mailto:[FOI #19357 email]
7. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Mohammed,

In regards to the wording of your LGOIMA request, the mayor's office have advised that at no time has Mayor Andy Foster supported genocide of Palestinians.

There was no communication with other groups, embassies, or individuals regarding the Mayor’s decision.

The only other communication was by phone from the mayor to both the Chief Executive and Wellington NZ (who operate the Michael Fowler Centre) to convey the advice received from MFAT and that the event would not be taking place.

In terms of it being requested, Councillors were approached by the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa directly and Councillor Paul arranged the Michael Fowler Centre projection. This was not a decision that went through Council.

I hope this clarifies the response for you.

Ngâ mihi
Claudia

Claudia Holgate
Senior Advisor | Official Information Team
Te Kaunihera o Pôneke | Wellington City Council

-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammed Khan <[FOI #19357 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 31 May 2022 11:23 am
To: BUS: Assurance <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Official Information request - Andy Foster's support for genocide of Palestinians

Dear Wellington City Council,

To be absolutely clear, are you indicating that the only "correspondence, emails, agendas, briefing notes, text messages" between the Mayor and other individuals or groups regarding his decision to support the genocide of the Palestinian people were exchanged between Foster and MFAT?

You are confirming there were no communications between Foster and council about this matter, and no communications with foreign embassies, foreign lobby groups or foreign lobbyists like Sheree Trotter, Juliet Moses etc?

Yours sincerely,
Mohammed Khan

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19357 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Mohammed,

Could you please specify what you're after? For privacy reasons we would not disclose any phone numbers the Mayor has called, or received calls from.

Ngā mihi
Claudia

Claudia Holgate
Senior Advisor | Official Information Team

-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammed Khan <[FOI #19357 email]>
Sent: Monday, 13 June 2022 5:50 pm
To: BUS: Assurance <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Andy Foster's support for genocide of Palestinians

Thanks Claudia,

I understand that your official position is that Foster's decision to support the genocide of Palestinians is purported to have solely been made on the advice of MFAT.

Will you require a new request to be made to solicit the Mayor's phone records in the week surrounding the decision to support the zionist Nakba against the Palestinian people?

Yours sincerely,
Mohammed

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

Kia ora Mohammed,

In regards to the wording of your LGOIMA request, the mayor's office have advised that at no time has Mayor Andy Foster supported genocide of Palestinians.

There was no communication with other groups, embassies, or individuals regarding the Mayor’s decision.

The only other communication was by phone from the mayor to both the Chief Executive and Wellington NZ (who operate the Michael Fowler Centre) to convey the advice received from MFAT and that the event would not be taking place.

In terms of it being requested, Councillors were approached by the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa directly and Councillor Paul arranged the Michael Fowler Centre projection. This was not a decision that went through Council.

I hope this clarifies the response for you.

Ngâ mihi
Claudia

Claudia Holgate
Senior Advisor | Official Information Team Te Kaunihera o Pôneke | Wellington City Council

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19357 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

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.

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

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Mohammed,

A previously advised, the mayor was not in discussions with any other groups or individuals regarding this decision. Following text advice from MFAT (Lisa White, Deputy Chief of Protocol), the Mayor relayed the advice via phone call to Wellington NZ (John Allan), who manages the Michael Fowler Centre. The mayor also contacted the WCC Chief Executive, Barbara McKerrow as well as Councillor Paul via phone call to convey the advice and decision not to proceed. The mayor does not support genocide.

Ngā mihi
Claudia

Claudia Holgate
Senior Advisor | Official Information Team

-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammed Khan <[FOI #19357 email]>
Sent: Friday, 17 June 2022 10:47 am
To: BUS: Assurance <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Andy Foster's support for genocide of Palestinians

Dear BUS: Assurance,

Understood, Claudia.

I do not require phone numbers- the names of the persons with which Foster exchanged text messages or phone calls in the week surrounding his decision to take sides to oppose the commemoration of the zionist genocide against the Palestinian people would be sufficient.

Regards,
Mohammed

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

Kia ora Mohammed,

Could you please specify what you're after? For privacy reasons we would not disclose any phone numbers the Mayor has called, or received calls from.

Ngā mihi
Claudia

Claudia Holgate
Senior Advisor | Official Information Team

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19357 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

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.

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

hide quoted sections

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Mohammed Khan

Please see the attached letters 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

Kia ora Mohammed,

Thank you for your recent LGOIMA request.

The information you have requested relates to a text exchange between Mayor Andy Foster and a representative from MFAT. In these circumstances, we are required under section 12 of the Act to transfer your request. As the information requested is believed to be more closely connected with them. We have formally transferred your request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade under section 12(b)(ii) of the LGOIMA.

As we have transferred this, you will hear further from MFAT concerning your request.

Ngā mihi
Claudia

Claudia Holgate
Senior Advisor | Official Information Team Te Kaunihera o Pōneke | Wellington City Council

-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammed Khan <[FOI #19357 email]>
Sent: Monday, 16 May 2022 11:13 am
To: BUS: Assurance <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Andy Foster's support for genocide of Palestinians

Dear Wellington City Council,

Please provide all correspondence, emails, agendas, briefing notes, text messages etc regarding the Mayor of Wellington's decision to oppose the commemoration of Nakba Day, recognizing the ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the legitimate native population of Palestine/'Israel'.

This should particularly include communications with the 'Israeli' embassy, and its various subject organizations such as the American embassy, the 'Israel Institute of NZ', the so-called 'Indigenous Coalition for Israel'.

Yours faithfully,
Mohammed Khan

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19357 email]

Is [Wellington City Council request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Wellington City Council? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

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