28 November 2022
Scott
[FYI request #21059 email]
Dear Scott
Thank you for your email of 7 November 2022 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
1) [30-Apr-22] Brief for Meeting: “Briefing for introductory meeting with Harinder Sidhu,
Australian High Commissioner”
2) [30-Apr-22] Brief: “The Trans-Tasman Relationship”
3) [2-May-22] Brief for Meeting: “International Facing Ministers’ Meeting - Disarmament and
Peace Discussion”
4) [7-May-22] Brief for Meeting: “Briefing for call with Ian Biggs, Australian Ambassador for
Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation, Tuesday 10 May, 4:30pm”
5) [28-May-22] Brief for Call: “Briefing for call with Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative
for Disarmament Affairs, Wednesday 1 June 2022”
6) [30-Jul-22] Brief for Travel: “AUKUS Naval Nuclear Propulsion and the NPT”
7) [2-Sep-22] Brief for Travel: “MDAC MSTEG Visit to Canberra, 6-8 September 2022”
8) [24-Sep-22] Brief for Meeting: “Briefing for meeting with Peter Beck, Founder, President,
and Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Lab”
9)
[1-Oct-22] Brief for Meeting: “Hon. Phil Twyford Meeting with Solomon Islands Minister of
Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Jeremiah Manele”
10)
[1-Oct-22] Brief for Meeting: “Visit by Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and
External Trade: Overview and Objectives”
On Tuesday 22 November you were advised of the extension of timeframes for this request to 7
February 2023, and that it was likely that the request would be responded to in multiple tranches.
Attached is the first tranche of documents, listed below.
3) [2-May-22] Brief for Meeting: “International Facing Ministers’ Meeting - Disarmament and
Peace Discussion”
4) [7-May-22] Brief for Meeting: “Briefing for call with Ian Biggs, Australian Ambassador for
Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation, Tuesday 10 May, 4:30pm”
5) [28-May-22] Brief for Call: “Briefing for call with Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative
for Disarmament Affairs, Wednesday 1 June 2022”
6) [30-Jul-22] Brief for Travel: “AUKUS Naval Nuclear Propulsion and the NPT”
8) [24-Sep-22] Brief for Meeting: “Briefing for meeting with Peter Beck, Founder, President,
and Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Lab”
9) [1-Oct-22] Brief for Meeting: “Hon. Phil Twyford Meeting with Solomon Islands Minister of
Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Jeremiah Manele”
Page 2 of 2
10) [1-Oct-22] Brief for Meeting: “Visit by Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and
External Trade: Overview and Objectives”
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;
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy;
9(2)(f)(iv): to protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and
officials; and
9(2)(g)(i): to protect the free and frank expression of opinions by departments.
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.
Yours sincerely
Hon Phil Twyford
Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control