Dear New Zealand Defence Force,

The main purpose of this Official Information request is summarised here: I am requesting a "definitive statement" from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) as to how they assisted, or did not assist, the New Zealand Police with regard to the "2022 Wellington protest", which occurred during February and March 2022. I am also requesting any NZDF records which support the above-mentioned "definitive statement".

It is an important historical record to know the outcome of all discussions held by the New Zealand Defence Force with the New Zealand Police with regard to the "2022 Wellington protest"; namely, what way, if any, did the New Zealand Defence Force provide the New Zealand Police with assistance, or in what way, if any, did the New Zealand Defence Force refuse requested assistance? If any, what was the assistance provided? And, if any, what was the assistance requested but refused? What New Zealand Defence Force records about this assistance and non-assistance exist? If any, please supply copies of those records.

As evidence of "engaged" discussion(s) between the New Zealand Defence Force and the New Zealand Police, I quote first from this link, dated 16 February 2022: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1277870...

First quote begins:
Parliament protest: Four Defence Force vehicles arrive in Wellington, remain on standby
...
Four Defence Force vehicles have arrived in Wellington and are on standby should they be required.
An NZDF spokeswoman said discussions on the possible deployment of Defence Force assets remain ongoing, and no decisions have been made.
However, four army vehicles travelled to Wellington from Linton and Waiouru on Wednesday.
“They are being pre-positioned should they be required, but as stated no decisions have been made about their use to assist the towing operation,” she said.
It comes as no illegally parked vehicles at the Parliament protest were towed on Wednesday, despite suggestions from police this would happen.
First quote ends.

Regarding the above first quote, were the "pre-positioned" vehicles easily visible to the public (e.g. protestors)? A visible presence of New Zealand Defence Force vehicles might have had a psychological effect that assisted the objectives of the New Zealand Police, e.g. scaring protestors into moving vehicles because of a perceived threat that their vehicles would soon be towed. Therefore, what were all the reasons that the New Zealand Defence Force sent vehicles to Wellington? Was it to "appease" the New Zealand Police when in fact you had almost no intention of ever deploying them? Or, were the vehicles there to support the New Zealand Police in a "psychological operation" against protestors? Does the New Zealand Defence Force hold any records relating to the reasons that the vehicles were sent to Wellington? If so, please provide copies.

I quote secondly from this link, dated 16 February 2022, in relation to "Police Commissioner Andrew Coster": https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-c...

Second quote starts:
Covid-19 convoy protest: Parliament towing operation could take days, involve Defence Force
...
Coster said police would tolerate lawful protest and it would probably take a few days to clear all the vehicles.
"We have made a request to the New Zealand Defence Force for assistance with towing and we are awaiting the outcome of that request," he added.
It's understood the Defence Force was considering its options yesterday afternoon and deciding how to respond to Coster's request.
Under the Defence Act, any involvement by the Defence Force in helping clear the protest could require either the Prime Minister or Defence Minister to authorise it.
In a statement, the Defence Force said: "There are a number of factors to be considered not least the suitability of military recovery vehicles for this task and the availability of trained personnel, which we have discussed with NZ Police. Discussions are ongoing."
Second quote ends.

Keeping in mind the first quote, with reference to the second quote:
How did the New Zealand Defence Force "respond to Coster's request"? What records, if any, does the New Zealand Defence Force hold with regard to the discussions and its responses? Please supply a copy of those records, if any.

What records, if any, does the New Zealand Defence Force hold with regard to contact with "either the Prime Minister or Defence Minister" about assisting the New Zealand Police, or other involvement, with regard to the "2022 Wellington protest"? Please supply a copy of those records, if any.

The second purpose of this Official Information request is to ask these more general questions: Did the New Zealand Defence Force hold any other interest in, or have involvement with, the "2022 Wellington Protest"? If so, what other records, if any, does the New Zealand Defence Force hold with regard to an interest in, or involvement with, the "2022 Wellington Protest"? Please supply a copy of those records, if any.

Yours faithfully,

Mr French