New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
27 May 2022
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Sebastian
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #19388 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28073
Tēnā koe Sebastian
I refer to your email of 19 May 2022 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
I would like to make a request for information regarding the temporary closure of the
New Zealand Consulate-General in Chengdu, China. The closure was announced on
25 March 2020 on the MFAT website, here:https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-
resources/new-zealand-consulate-general-in-chengdu-temporarily-closes-due-to-
covid-19/ I would like to request copies of all briefings to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs on the topic of this closure, and the consulate’s reopening, dated since March
2020. This should include excerpts from the minister’s weekly briefings that deal with
this topic.
The information relevant to your request is attached. Part of the information attached is an
excerpt of information in scope of your request from a submission of 9 November 2021 to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, titled ‘
Reprioritising within the offshore post network.’ We have
withheld some information from this excerpt under the following sections of the OIA:
•
6(a): to avoid prejudicing the security or defence of New Zealand or the international
relations of the New Zealand Government;
•
9(2)(g)(i): to protect the free and frank expression of opinions by departments; and
•
9(2)(f)(iv): to protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and
officials.
Where the information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, we have identified no public
interest in releasing the information that would override the reasons for withholding it.
Please note that we may publish this letter (with your personal details redacted) and enclosed
document 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 contactin
g www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Julie-Anne Lee
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
