RESTRICTED
10 February 2023
Minister of Foreign Affairs
For action by
24 February 2023
MFA International Travel Opportunities 2023: Additional Options
BRIEFING
Decision Submission
PURPOSE
This paper provides additional international travel options for 2023 for your
the
consideration. It supplements advice provided in October 2022, and existing
Act
travel agreed for the year.
Tukunga tūtohua – Recommended referrals
Prime Minister
For information by
24 February 2023
under
Taipitopito whakapā – Contact details
NAME
ROLE
DIVISION
WORK PHONE
Natasha Yarrall
Senior Policy Officer
DCE-P
s9(2)(a)
Information
Released
Official
Mā te Tari Minita e whakakī – Minister’s Office to complete
Approved
Noted
Referred
Needs amendment
Declined
Withdrawn
Overtaken by events
See Minister’s notes
Comments
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
Pito matua – Key points
•
In October 2022 you agreed to a set of priority travel for 2023. This was focused on
reinforcing Aotearoa New Zealand’s key international relationships, supporting
New Zealand’s reconnection with the world, and priority set piece meetings.
•
Based on this, planning is now under way for you to travel to:
Australia, s6(a)
China,
Japan, Korea, Samoa, Singapore s6(a)
over the course of 2023. s6(a)
You have also
agreed to attend the
s9(2)(f)(iv), s6(a)
You have also just returned from
India.
•
We provide additional options for travel in 2023 to supplement existing plans. These
proposals:
o
Support efforts to reconnect Aotearoa New Zealand with the world including
New Zealand’s economic recovery;
o
Place priority on travel to the Pacific region;
o
Ensure Aotearoa New Zealand continues to engage credibly on issues which impact
international peace and security;
o
Take into consideration your new portfolio as Minister of Disarmament and Arms
Control (MDAC);
o
Take into account the Prime Minister’s anticipated travel in 2023 (separate advice is
being prepared on this).
under the
•
As a priority, we propose you consider adding standalone visits to
Fiji and
Vanuatu to
your travel schedule. We also recommend you attend the s6(a), s9(2)(f)(iv)
•
Beyond these immediate priorities, we would suggest you consider: s6(a), s9(2)(f)(iv)
- if your
schedule permits
. We have also considered other Pacific jurisdictions you have not yet
visited (or plan to visit). You may wish to consider s6(a), s9(2)(f)(iv)
•
While we do not recommend any destinations solely in your capacity as MDAC, there wil
be opportunities to discuss disarmament with counterparts during these visits.
Released
•
Annex 1 outlines existing travel agreed and proposed timing for this, alongside additional
proposals. The timing of visits which are not “set piece” may be flexible. Annex 2 provides
the rationale for existing/ agreed travel.
Official Information Act
Ben King
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
Tūtohu – Recommendations
It is recommended that you:
1
Note planning is under way for your travel programme in 2023, based on
Yes / No
advice you approved in October 2022, as outlined in Annex 1;
2
Agree that officials explore additional international travel opportunities for
Yes / No
you, also set out in Annex 1, working with your office to identify potential
dates for travel.
the
Act
Hon Nanaia Mahuta
Minister of Foreign Affairs / Minita Take Aorere
Date: / /
under
Information
Released
Official
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
Pūrongo – Report
Background
1. In October 2022 you agreed to a set of priority travel for 2023, with a focus on key
relationships and New Zealand’s Trade Recovery Strategy. Based on this, planning is now
under way for you to travel to:
Australia, s6(a)
China, Japan, Korea, Samoa,
Singapore
s
s6(a)
6 over the course of 2023.
You have also agreed to attend the
s6(a), s9(2)
(f)(iv)
. You have also just
returned from
India.
2. You have indicated an interest in additional travel options for 2023. We provide options for
your consideration.
Priority International Travel Opportunities
the
3. We propose the following additional international travel engagements for you in 2023:
Act
i.
Fiji: A standalone visit s6(a), s9(2)(f)(iv)
is a high priority for you as
Minister of Foreign Affairs. This would be an opportunity to meet with the new
Government following the election in December 2022. The New Zealand High
Commission in Suva is currently exploring dates in March. s6(a)
under
ii.
Vanuatu: This is an opportunity to reinforce Aotearoa New Zealand’s important
relationship with Vanuatu, including by engaging with the new Prime Minister. You have
not yet visited Vanuatu in your capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
4. A visit to Vanuatu and Fiji would be possible in the week commencing 21 March and we are
exploring availability of NZDF assets for this window. If an asset is not available, commercial
travel would also be possible.
Information
5. If the Prime Minister elects not to attend, we recommend you also add to your schedule:
s6(a), s9(2)(f)(iv)
Released
Official
6. Beyond these immediate priorities, you may wish to also consider:
v. s6(a), s9(2)(f)(iv)
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
s6(a), s9(2)(f)(iv)
vii.
Europe: Travel to Stockholm and Brussels, with options to add other EU partners would
provide valuable support to progressing the EU/NZ Free Trade Agreement, our
multilateral objectives and our Ukraine response.
Sweden holds the EU Presidency in first half of 2023 and has been s6(a)
supporter for FTA. s6(a)
the
Act
An engagement with indigenous Sámi might also be
possible.
s6(a)
under
A range of additional Europe destinations can be added depending on time
available. s6(a)
s6(a)
Information
Released
Official
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
s6(a)
7. We have also considered s6(a)
Pacific bilateral travel
s6(a)
the Act
under
Information
Released
Official
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
Other multilateral fora
s6(a)
the Act
under
Information
Released
Official
RESTRICTED
the Act
under
Information
Released
Official
RESTRICTED
Annex 2: Existing travel - Planning Underway
i.
Japan and
Singapore: You are visiting 26 February – 3 March.
ii.
Samoa: We are currently working on a visit to Samoa s6(a)
Dates are stil to be confirmed, but tentative for April or May.
iii.
China: Officials continue to explore options for 2023, and ensure any visit is sequenced
with any possible visit by the Prime Minister to China.
iv. s6(a)
v.
Korea: Korea is an important, influential, like-minded strategic partner in the Indo-
the
Pacific region, s6(a)
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are
also ramping up in light of recent DPRK ballistic missile tests. We have critical trade,
Act
defence and security interests with Korea. The Pacific Leaders’ meeting in Seoul in late
May 2023 may provide an opportunity for you to undertake a bilateral visit. s6(a)
s6(a)
under
Information
Released
Official
RESTRICTED