New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
11 May 2023
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Regan Gibbons
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #22580 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28611
Tēnā koe Regan Gibbons
I refer to your email of 27 April 2023 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request all advice provided by MFAT to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the status of the two-state solution to the Israel-
Palestine conflict.
On 1 May 2023, you clarified that your request to be for:
Any advice provided to the Minister of Foreign Affairs by MFAT recommending or exploring
changes to New Zealand's official position in support of a two-state solution to the Israel-
Palestine conflict.
We note that no timeframe was put on this request for information, so we have interpreted your
request to be for advice provided to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the last five years.
One document has been found in scope of your request. This document, including its title, is
withheld in full 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; 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, we have identified no
public interest in releasing the information that would override the reasons for withholding it.
Please note that we may publish this letter (with your personal details redacted) on the
Ministry’s website.
If you have any questions about this decision, you can contact us by email at:
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision by contacting
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Sarah Corbett
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
