[UNCLASSIFIED]
Thank you for your email.

For information about travel advice, including travelling during the
pandemic, please refer to the SafeTravel website: Home | SafeTravel. The
Unite Against COVID-19 website also provides information about
international travel: International travel and transit | Unite against
COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz).

For enquiries regarding:
• Managed Isolation and Quarantine – Detailed information can be found at:
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: https://scholarship.force.com/CommunityF....
• MFAT Vacancies - visit our website at:
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: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/.
• Visas for other countries - contact the relevant foreign representative
to New Zealand. A full list is available at
https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/embassies/.
• New Zealand passports - visit the Internal Affairs website at:
www.passports.govt.nz.
• New Zealand citizenship - visit the Internal Affairs website at:
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• Authentication of documents and Apostilles - visit the Internal Affairs
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"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."

hide quoted sections

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Kia ora Andrew Li

 

Thank you for your OIA request received on 24 June 2022 for:

Yesterday, the zionist lobby group IHRA announced that New Zealand had
become an 'observer country'. The IHRA is best known for its anti-semitic
'Working Definition of Antisemitism', which conflates the Jewish religion
and Jewish people with the zionist ideology by defining criticism of
'Israel' for its crimes against the indigenous Palestinian population of
Palestine as 'anti-Semitism'. Jewish groups which oppose Palestinian
genocide, both in New Zealand and abroad, as well as other human rights
groups, have condemned this organization for that reason.

 

This is of particular relevance given MFAT's track record of opposing the
recognition of the Nakba, the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the
Palestinian people, and providing other support to the zionist entity.

 

Disclose, in electronic form:

* all documents from Jan 2017 onwards related to the decision to affiliate
with this anti-semitic organization

* all communications from Jan 2017 onwards regarding the IHRA, inclusive
but not limited to those with foreign governments, and their local
representatives and paid lobbyists, such as Rob Berg and Sheree Trotter

 

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

 

 

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

From: Andrew Li <[3][FOI #19742 email]>

Sent: Friday, 24 June 2022 7:39 AM

To: ENQUIRIES <[4][MFAT request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Decision to join anti-Palestinian
lobby group

 

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

 

Yesterday, the zionist lobby group IHRA announced that New Zealand had
become an 'observer country'. The IHRA is best known for its anti-semitic
'Working Definition of Antisemitism', which conflates the Jewish religion
and Jewish people with the zionist ideology by defining criticism of
'Israel' for its crimes against the indigenous Palestinian population of
Palestine as 'anti-Semitism'. Jewish groups which oppose Palestinian
genocide, both in New Zealand and abroad, as well as other human rights
groups, have condemned this organization for that reason.

 

This is of particular relevance given MFAT's track record of opposing the
recognition of the Nakba, the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the
Palestinian people, and providing other support to the zionist entity.

 

Disclose, in electronic form:

* all documents from Jan 2017 onwards related to the decision to affiliate
with this anti-semitic organization

* all communications from Jan 2017 onwards regarding the IHRA, inclusive
but not limited to those with foreign governments, and their local
representatives and paid lobbyists, such as Rob Berg and Sheree Trotter

 

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Li

 

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

 

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

 

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

[5][FOI #19742 email]

 

Is [6][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:

[7]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:

[8]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. mailto:[FOI #19742 email]
4. mailto:[MFAT request email]
5. mailto:[FOI #19742 email]
6. mailto:[MFAT request email]
7. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
8. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

I am writing concerning your Official Information Act request below, to advise that responding to your request as currently framed would capture a significant volume of information. As such, it is likely that your request will be refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as it would require substantial collation and research.

Accordingly, I am seeking your agreement to refine your request to be for:

Key documents in the decision for New Zealand to apply for observer status of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA].

Please note, it is likely that we will need to withhold information from documents in scope of your request.

Please confirm if you are happy to proceed with the refined request above, by 3pm on 11 July 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: Andrew Li <[FOI #19742 email]>
Sent: Friday, 24 June 2022 7:39 AM
To: ENQUIRIES <[MFAT request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Decision to join anti-Palestinian lobby group

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

Yesterday, the zionist lobby group IHRA announced that New Zealand had become an 'observer country'. The IHRA is best known for its anti-semitic 'Working Definition of Antisemitism', which conflates the Jewish religion and Jewish people with the zionist ideology by defining criticism of 'Israel' for its crimes against the indigenous Palestinian population of Palestine as 'anti-Semitism'. Jewish groups which oppose Palestinian genocide, both in New Zealand and abroad, as well as other human rights groups, have condemned this organization for that reason.

This is of particular relevance given MFAT's track record of opposing the recognition of the Nakba, the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinian people, and providing other support to the zionist entity.

Disclose, in electronic form:
* all documents from Jan 2017 onwards related to the decision to affiliate with this anti-semitic organization
* all communications from Jan 2017 onwards regarding the IHRA, inclusive but not limited to those with foreign governments, and their local representatives and paid lobbyists, such as Rob Berg and Sheree Trotter

Yours faithfully,
Andrew Li

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

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19742 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

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

Thank you for refining part of your request to key documents.

I am writing concerning your Official Information Act request below, to advise that responding to point two of your request as currently framed would capture a significant volume of information. As such, it is likely that point two your request will be refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as it would require substantial collation and research.

Our searches have indicated that we do not hold any emails, to or from, Rob Berg or Sheree Trotter on the IHRA. Accordingly, I am seeking your agreement to refine point two of your request to be for:

A summary of all emails from Jan 2017 onwards from foreign governments regarding the IHRA.

Please note, it is likely that we will need to withhold some information from documents in scope of your request.

Please confirm if you are happy to proceed with the refined request above, by 3pm on 14 July 2022. If we do not hear from you, we will proceed with your refined 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: Andrew Li <[FOI #19742 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 5 July 2022 6:10 AM
To: ESD <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OIA 28155 - your Official Information Act request

Dear ESD,

In line with your comments, I will amend my request to seek instead, in electronic form:
* key documents from Jan 2017 onwards related to the decision to affiliate with this anti-semitic organization
* the subjects and sender/recipients names/email addresses for all emails from Jan 2017 onwards regarding the IHRA, inclusive but not limited to those exchanged with official representatives of foreign governments, and local subversives and paid lobbyists, such as Rob Berg and Sheree Trotter

Yours sincerely,
Andrew Li

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

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

I am writing concerning your Official Information Act request below, to advise that responding to your request as currently framed would capture a significant volume of information. As such, it is likely that your request will be refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as it would require substantial collation and research.

Accordingly, I am seeking your agreement to refine your request to be for:

Key documents in the decision for New Zealand to apply for observer status of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA].

Please note, it is likely that we will need to withhold information from documents in scope of your request.

Please confirm if you are happy to proceed with the refined request above, by 3pm on 11 July 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 #19742 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

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

As per our email correspondence between 29 June and 14 July 2022, we have
refined your request for the below three points:

 

- Key documents in the decision for New Zealand to apply for observer
status of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA].

- A summary of all emails from Jan 2017 onwards from foreign governments
regarding the IHRA.

- Incoming and outgoing ministerial correspondence with the public,
related to advocating for New Zealand to join the IHRA or to adopt the
IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.

 

Please confirm your agreement to the above request.

 

Once we have confirmation of your agreement to the above refined request,
we will proceed with processing your refined request.  As we have sought
clarification within 7 working days of your original request, this will be
treated as a new request. Section 15(1AA) and (1AB) of the Official
Information Act 1982 refers.

 

Ngā mihi

 

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

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

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand

[1]www.mfat.govt.nz | [2]www.safetravel.govt.nz

[3]cid:image001.png@01D77329.069A7C40

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Li <[4][FOI #19742 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 21 July 2022 1:57 PM
To: ESD <[5][email address]>
Subject: Re: OIA 28155 - your Official Information Act request

 

Dear ESD,

 

I haven't had a response to my earlier email from July 14. Have you
narrowed the scope of the response to the suggestion at its end, or not?

 

>Dear ESD,

> 

>I'm a little confused on the request to narrow the scope of the request.

> 

>Is the problem that I haven't provided a full list of subversive
organizations and persons that are pushing for support for Palestinian
human rights to be called antisemitism, so you need me to supply a list in
full of such parties?

> 

>Or would you deny access to this information if I provided a list in full
of employees of foreign powers and related subversives who should be
subject to such a search, say Alfred Ngaro, Juliet Moses, Bradford Haami,
Moka Ngaro, Alfred Ngaro, Kariana Black, Deborah Hart, Sam Mangai, Perry
Trotter, Eric George, etc, etc? I would obviously require some time to
compile said list and might need to name hundreds of subversives who may
not have been in communication with MFAT regarding this particular issue.

> 

>Alternatively, I would be happy to narrow the request to- in addition
with communications with foreign governments- to cover any emails
advocating for NZ to join the IHRA or to adopt the IHRA 'Definition of
Antisemitism', and responses to such, as any person doing so is by
definition a foreign agent.

> 

>Yours sincerely,

>Andrew

 

Kind regards,

Andrew

 

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

 

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

 

Thank you for refining part of your request to key documents.

 

I am writing concerning your Official Information Act request below, to
advise that responding to point two of your request as currently framed
would capture a significant volume of information. As such, it is likely
that point two your request will be refused under section 18(f) of the
OIA, as it would require substantial collation and research.

 

Our searches have indicated that we do not hold any emails, to or from,
Rob Berg or Sheree Trotter on the IHRA. Accordingly, I am seeking your
agreement to refine point two of your request to be for:

 

A summary of all emails from Jan 2017 onwards from foreign governments
regarding the IHRA.

 

Please note, it is likely that we will need to withhold some information
from documents in scope of your request.

 

Please confirm if you are happy to proceed with the refined request above,
by 3pm on 14 July 2022. If we do not hear from you, we will proceed with
your refined 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
[6]www.mfat.govt.nz | [7]www.safetravel.govt.nz

 

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

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

[8][FOI #19742 email]

 

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

[9]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. http://www.mfat.govt.nz/
2. http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
4. mailto:[FOI #19742 email]
5. mailto:[email address]
6. http://www.mfat.govt.nz/
7. http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
8. mailto:[FOI #19742 email]
9. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

As we sought clarification within 7 working days, your refined request is treated as a new request. Section 15(1AA) and (1AB) of the Official Information Act 1982 refers. Please confirm your agreement to the refined request, below.

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: Andrew Li <[FOI #19742 email]>
Sent: Friday, 22 July 2022 11:59 AM
To: ESD <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OIA 28155 - your Official Information Act request

Morning,

I'm rather confused by your response.

You requested to eliminate key points of my original request, regarding subversive foreign lobbyists operating within New Zealand, in an email sent on July 13, demanding a response by late afternoon July 14. I responded well before the deadline clarifiying my request. You didn't respond, so I followed up a week afterwards. You now appear to accept that slightly varied request as legitimate.

Now, on the day your response is due, you're suggesting that my clarification- within your stated timeline- made it a completely new request? Is this your honest, good faith position?

Regards,
Andrew

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

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

Thank you for your reply.

As per our email correspondence between 29 June and 14 July 2022, we have refined your request for the below three points:

- Key documents in the decision for New Zealand to apply for observer status of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA].

- A summary of all emails from Jan 2017 onwards from foreign governments regarding the IHRA.

- Incoming and outgoing ministerial correspondence with the public, related to advocating for New Zealand to join the IHRA or to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.

Please confirm your agreement to the above request.

Once we have confirmation of your agreement to the above refined request, we will proceed with processing your refined request. As we have sought clarification within 7 working days of your original request, this will be treated as a new request. Section 15(1AA) and (1AB) of the Official Information Act 1982 refers.

Ngā mihi

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

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

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand

[1]www.mfat.govt.nz | [2]www.safetravel.govt.nz

[3]cid:image001.png@01D77329.069A7C40

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19742 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

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

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: Andrew Li <[FOI #19742 email]>
Sent: Friday, 22 July 2022 6:58 PM
To: ESD <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OIA 28155 - your Official Information Act request

To avoid further malicious inaction on your part, your summary a week later of what I sent on July 15 can be considered my amended request.

Yours sincerely,
Andrew Li

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

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Li

As we sought clarification within 7 working days, your refined request is treated as a new request. Section 15(1AA) and (1AB) of the Official Information Act 1982 refers. Please confirm your agreement to the refined request, below.

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 #19742 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