Good afternoon Peter,

 

With respect to your request below, the Official Information Act 1982
(OIA) requires that a decision on your request be provided no later than
20 working days after the day your request was received. Unfortunately, it
will not be possible to meet that time limit and this email is to notify
you of an extension of the time to make a decision, to Wednesday 3 May
2023.

 

This extension is necessary as the information that you have requested has
previously been withheld as a result of the Independent Police Conduct
Authority inquiry. The Chief Ombudsman is investigating the decisions to
withhold this information. It would be unreasonable to provide a decision
within the original time limit ahead of the Chief Ombudsman’s decision.

 

Unfortunately there is no timeframe set for when the Chief Ombudsman will
be in a position to make a decision and you will be notified on 3 May 2023
if that decision remains pending. You have the right, under section 28(3)
of the OIA, to ask an Ombudsman to review the decision to extend your
request.

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[1]www.nzdf.mil.nz

 

 

 

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

From: Peter W French
[[2]mailto:[FOI #21699 email]]

Sent: Thursday, 2 February 2023 12:20 p.m.

To: Ministerial Services <[3][NZDF request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Clarifying Defence involvement
(eg. co-operation with Police) re. the "2022 Wellington protest"

 

 

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:
[4]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":
[5]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

 

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

 

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

 

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

[6][FOI #21699 email]

 

Is [7][NZDF request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to New Zealand Defence Force? If so, please contact
us using this form:

[8]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:

[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 Internet Email message is intended for
the addressee only and may contain privileged information, but not
necessarily the official views or opinions of the New Zealand Defence
Force.  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.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
2. mailto:[FOI #21699 email]
3. mailto:[NZDF request email]
4. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1277870...
5. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-c...
6. mailto:[FOI #21699 email]
7. mailto:[NZDF request email]
8. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
9. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Good afternoon Peter

 

Please find attached a response to your request.

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[1]www.nzdf.mil.nz

 

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

From: Peter W French
[[2]mailto:[FOI #21699 email]]

Sent: Thursday, 2 February 2023 12:20 p.m.

To: Ministerial Services <[3][NZDF request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Clarifying Defence involvement
(eg. co-operation with Police) re. the "2022 Wellington protest"

 

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

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.

Do not follow guidance, click links, or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe. If in any doubt please
forward the email to [4][email address] and then delete the email from
your Inbox. Thank you

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

 

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:
[5]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":
[6]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

 

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

 

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

 

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

[7][FOI #21699 email]

 

Is [8][NZDF request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to New Zealand Defence Force? If so, please contact
us using this form:

[9]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:

[10]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 Internet Email message is intended for
the addressee only and may contain privileged information, but not
necessarily the official views or opinions of the New Zealand Defence
Force.  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.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/
2. mailto:[FOI #21699 email]
3. mailto:[NZDF request email]
4. mailto:[email address]
5. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1277870...
6. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-c...
7. mailto:[FOI #21699 email]
8. mailto:[NZDF request email]
9. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
10. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections