UNCLASSIFIED
New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay
7 November 2024
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
T +64 4 439 8000
F +64 4 472 9596
D Maclure
OIA 29744
[FYI request #28707 email]
Tēnā koe D Maclure
Thank you for your email of 9 October 2024 in which you request the following under the
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
“Can you provide table on list of past and current diplomats who were involved
incidents during their trouble on New Zealand soil.”
Your request is refused under section 6(a) of the OIA, as making this information
available would be likely to prejudice the international relations of the Government of
New Zealand, and section 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of individuals. Where the
information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, no public interest in releasing
the information has been identified that would override the reasons for withholding it.
For your information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) publishes
an aggregate list of alleged serious criminal offences committed by foreign
representatives and accredited family members, along with requests for waivers of
foreign diplomatic immunity, in the Ministry’s Annual Report, which is publicly available
on the Ministry’s website (see page 194):
Read the MFAT Annual Report 2022-23 | New
Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
I would note that the dates of incidents and the names of countries involved are not
published. Given the small number of cases and the small size of the Diplomatic Corps
resident in New Zealand (refer to p.131 for more information), releasing further
information on immunity cases could lead to the identification of the individual(s)
concerned (including the alleged victims).
Regarding waivers of immunity related to offending, I would also note that in many
cases waivers are requested to enable New Zealand Police to interview members of the
Diplomatic Corps when they are witnesses to or victims of crime in New Zealand.
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/
UNCLASSIFIED
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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