New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
6 March 2024
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
T Murray
T +64 4 439 8000
F +64 4 472 9596
[FYI request #25488 email]
OIA 29043
Tēnā koe T Murray
I refer to your email of 23 January 2024 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
Could you please provide all information to support the visit by Foreign Minister Winston
Peters to Suva, Fiji, for two high profile meetings. He met with Fijian Prime Minister
Sitiveni Rabuka and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna.
Could you provide any cost for department staff to attend with the Minister. In particular
flight costs and accommodation.
On 29 January 2024, we contacted you seeking your agreement to refine your request to be
for:
1.
The meeting briefing provided to Foreign Minister Winston Peters for his meeting
with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in December 2023.
2.
The meeting briefing provided to Foreign Minister Winston Peters for his meeting
and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna in December 2023.
3.
Any cost for department staff to attend with the Minister, in particular flight costs
and accommodation.
You agreed to this refinement on the same day.
On 27 February 2024, the timeframes for responding to your request were extended by an
additional 10 working days due to the consultations necessary to make a decision on your
request. (section 15A(1)(a) and/or 15A(1)(b) of the OIA refers).
The information relevant to your request is attached. We have withheld some information 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; and
•
6(b)(ii): to protect the passing of information from an international organisation on a
confidential basis.
The cost for department staff to attend with the Minister is approximately NZD$6,381.92. This
cost includes domestic flight transfers, on-ground transport, and accommodation costs for
department staff.
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
Please note that it is our policy to proactively release our responses to official information
requests where possible. Therefore, our response to your request (with your personal information
removed) may be published on the Ministry website:
www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/contact-
us/official-information-act-responses/ 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 Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
