4 April 2024
J Penwarden
[FYI request #26003 email]
Dear J Penwarden
Thank you for your email of 5 March 2024 in which you request the fol owing under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
‘copies of al emails amongst media and communications staff supporting the minister's
office that refers to the suspension of New Zealand's funding to the UNRWA.This includes
correspondence sent by comms/media staff internal y and external y, and also
correspondence comms/media staff received from external sources. This request is for
the period from January 24 to February 4th 2024. By staff supporting the minister's office,
I'm referring to both MFAT comms/media staff and the Ministers' office staff who hold
communications/media advisory roles. Happy for staff names and contact details to be
redacted.’
Your request is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA, as the information requested does not
exist.
New Zealand has supported UNRWA since its establishment in 1949, including through
engagement on its mandate and financial contributions. In the absence of a two-state solution, it
is New Zealand’s longstanding view that UNRWA plays a unique and essential role in ensuring
the humanitarian, development, and protection needs of Palestinian refugees are met in Jordan,
Lebanon, Syria, and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Under our current three-year arrangement with the Agency (2021/22-2023/24), New Zealand
provides UNRWA with NZ$1 mil ion in funding annual y to support their provision of essential
humanitarian assistance for Palestinian refugees. Our next payment is due by mid-year, so we
have time to consider the investigation into the al egations made against twelve UNRWA
employees on 26 January 2024. This is not a pause or suspension.
New Zealand takes these al egations very seriously. It is important these al egations are properly
understood and investigated urgently by the UN system. We strongly support the UN’s
investigation into the al egations, and the UN Secretary-General’s appointment of an independent
Review Group, led by Catherine Colonna, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, to
assess whether UNRWA is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality and to respond
to al egations of serious breaches when they are made. We are engaging with partners on the
process, including through our UN Mission in New York and other diplomatic posts. We wil be
looking for evidence that the investigation is thorough, and that the al egations wil be dealt with
appropriately. We wil also be looking for assurances that necessary safeguards are in place.
2
We remain acutely aware of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the critical role of UNRWA in
the response.
Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the situation in Gaza, the Government’s strong focus is
on the protection of civilians and the urgent need to stop the violence as soon as possible.
New Zealand has long advocated for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, leading to a
lasting, sustainable peace. In this regard we welcomed the UN Security Council’s resolution on
25 March 2024 demanding an immediate ceasefire and cal ed on al parties to immediately
comply with the resolution, including for Hamas to release al hostages and for Israel to play its
part in enabling a rapid, massive and sustained increase in aid into Gaza.
New Zealand wil continue to advocate strongly for improved humanitarian access at al levels,
including in Prime Minister and Foreign Minister engagements, and directly with Israel.
New Zealand has provided a total of NZ$15 mil ion in financial support to the humanitarian
response and welcomed action taken by the United Nations Security Council and General
Assembly cal ing for safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access. The Ministry wil
continue to closely monitor the humanitarian crisis and consider how New Zealand can best
support the response.
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.
Yours sincerely
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
