[UNCLASSIFIED]

Kia ora and thank you for your email.

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[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Tçnâ koe Lance D. Lavery,

 

Thank you for your OIA request of 13 August 2024 regarding New Zealand
engagement with Israel since October 2023.

 

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have engaged
regularly with Israeli officials from Israel both here in New Zealand and
at our overseas posts since 7 October 2023. Consequently it would be very
difficult to compile all our interactions as this happens as part of our
business as usual operations, on top of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. We
also note that the way your request worded is not limited to the Ministry
and would capture information held by multiple government agencies and
Ministers.

 

Consequently, it is likely your request will be refused under section
18(f) of the OIA, as the information requested cannot be made available
without substantial collation and research.

 

In order to avoid a refusal, we ask that you narrow the scope of your
request. This could be done by selecting a particular topic relating to
the Israel-Hamas conflict, narrowing the timeframe (i.e. a particular week
advice was provided to Ministers), correspondence with a specific
individual, etc. In order to assist, the Ministry routinely publishes
information previously released under the OIA relating to the Israel-Hamas
Conflict on our website (see:
[1]www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/middle-east/israel-hamas-conflict),
as well as statements and general information for New Zealanders.

 

Please let us know if you are happy to refine your request by 19 August
2024. If we do not receive a reply from you by this date, the Ministry
will continue with the current wording of your request.      

 

Please note, any clarification or amendment of a request is considered to
be a new request for the purpose of calculating the maximum statutory
timeframe for response (section 15(1AA) of the OIA refers).  

 

Ngâ mihi,

 

 

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere

 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Lance D. Lavery <[2][FOI #28031 email]>

Sent: Tuesday, 13 August 2024 10:20 am

To: ENQUIRIES <[3][MFAT request email]>

Subject: Official Information request - Urgent Request for Transparency:
Full Disclosure on New Zealand-Israel Communications Regarding Gaza
Conflict

 

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

 

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act
1982 (OIA) regarding the conflict in Gaza that began on 7 October 2023. I
am seeking access to the following information:

 

1. All Written Communications: Please provide copies of all written
communications, including but not limited to emails, letters, memos, and
reports, between the New Zealand Government and the Government of Israel
related to the conflict in Gaza since 7 October 2023.

 

2. Transcriptions of Verbal Communications: Please provide transcripts or
written records of all verbal communications, such as telephone
conversations, video calls, or in-person meetings, between representatives
of the New Zealand Government and the Government of Israel related to the
aforementioned conflict. This includes any minutes or summaries of such
communications.

 

3. Briefing Documents and Advisories: Please include any briefing
documents, advisories, or summaries provided to New Zealand Government
officials regarding the conflict in Gaza and interactions with the
Government of Israel.

 

4. Meeting Records: Provide details of any meetings between New Zealand
Government officials and Israeli officials, including dates, attendees,
minutes, and summaries of discussions.

 

5. Policy or Strategic Documents: Include any documents related to New
Zealand’s policy or strategic approach towards the Gaza conflict and
interactions with Israel during this period.

 

Please provide all information in PDF file format for convenience. Ensure
that the documents cover the entire period from 7 October 2023 to the
present date. If any information is withheld or redacted, please include a
detailed explanation for the withholding or redaction, specifying the
grounds under the OIA on which the decision is based.

 

I understand that under the OIA, you are required to respond to this
request within 20 working days of receipt. If you need any further
information to process this request or if there are any charges for
providing this information, please let me know at your earliest
convenience.

 

Since I am submitting this request via FYI.org.nz, please respond through
the FYI.org.nz platform to ensure I receive your reply in a timely manner.

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Lance D. Lavery

 

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This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[4][FOI #28031 email]

 

Is [5][MFAT request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade? If so, please contact
us using this form:

[6]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[7]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

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"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the
Ministry. It may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or
the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have received this
message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

References

Visible links
1. http://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and...
2. mailto:[FOI #28031 email]
3. mailto:[MFAT request email]
4. mailto:[FOI #28031 email]
5. mailto:[MFAT request email]
6. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
7. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

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[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Lance,

 

On behalf of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, please see
attached the response to your OIA request.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

 

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

 

 

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"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the
Ministry. It may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or
the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have received this
message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."

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