25 March 2024
Katrina Tamaira
[FYI request #26128 email]
Ref: OIA-2023/24-0675
Dear Katrina
Official Information Act request relating to New Zealanders in the Israeli Defence
Force
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 17 March
2024. You requested:
“Official information request: New Zealand citizens serving in the Israeli Defense
Forces. For the purposes of this request Israeli Defense Forces includes the Israeli
Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy.
Please supply the following information under the Official information Act (OIA):
- As of March 2024, does the DPMC know how many New Zealand citizens are on duty
within the Israeli Defense Forces.
- If known, how many, or an estimate, New Zealand citizens are currently serving and
on active duty.
- If known, how many, or an estimate, New Zealand citizens are currently serving in
Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
- Does the Ministry know if New Zealand citizens have been engaged in activity in
Gaza or the West Bank that many contravene the Genocide Convention, activity that
was recently the subject of an International Court of Justice ruling brought by
government of South Africa.”
I can advise that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) does not hold
the requested information, and despite making the necessary inquiries, has been unable to
identify an appropriate Agency to transfer your request to.
As such, I am refusing your request in full under section 18(g)(i) of the Act as DPMC does
not hold the requested information nor have reason to believe it is held by another Agency.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
We do not intend to publish this response on the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet’s website.
Yours sincerely
Clare Ward
Executive Director
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
4862020
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
