5 December 2022
Scott
[FYI request #20950 email]
Tēnā koe Scott
Thank you for your email of 25 October 2022 to Hon Peeni Henare requesting the following under
the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
ONE: [20/07/2022] “Briefing for Ukraine Defence Contact Group”
TWO: [25/07/2022] “Incoming Visits of Foreign Defence Leadership to New Zealand”
THREE: [27/07/2022] “Briefing for meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State”
FOUR: [27/07/2022] “Briefing for meeting with US Commander INDOPACOM”
FIVE: [05/08/2022] “Briefing Pack for visit to Solomon Islands”
SIX: [09/08/2022] “Briefing for Copenhagen Ukraine Conference 2022”
SEVEN: [06/09/2022] “Briefing: 8 September Ukraine Defence Contact Group Brief”
EIGHT: [07/09/2022] “Progress Update against Ministerial Priorities (1 April to
30 June 2022)”
NINE: [23/09/2022] “Aotearoa New Zealand's Assistance for Ukraine: Stocktake and
Looking to the Future”
TEN: [23/09/2022] “Aide Memoire: Notification of Operation Crucible Transit of South China
Sea in Oct 2022”
On 7 November 2022, the following part of your request was transferred to my office, as the
information you have requested is more closely connected to the functions of the Minister of
Foreign Affairs:
NINE: [23/09/2022] “Aotearoa New Zealand's Assistance for Ukraine: Stocktake and
Looking to the Future”
Some portions of the documents are withheld 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;
6(b)(i): to protect the passing of information from another government on a confidential
basis;
6(b)(ii): to protect the passing of information from an international organisation on a
confidential basis;
6(d): to avoid endangering the safety of any person;
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy;
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9(2)(f)(iv): to protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and
officials;
9(2)(g)(i): to protect the free and frank expression of opinions by departments and;
9(2)(g)(ii): to protect officers and employees from improper pressure or harassment.
Where the information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, no public interest in releasing
the information has been identified that would override the reasons for withholding it.
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
Hon Nanaia Mahuta
Minita Take Aorere / Minister of Foreign Affairs
