9 December 2024
John Wilson
[FYI request #29268 email]
Ref: OIA-2024/25-0470
Tēnā koe John Wilson
Official Information Act request relating to the Designation of Hezbollah and Ansar
Allah (aka The Houthis) as Terrorist Entities
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 20 November
2024. You requested:
“Under the Official Information Act 1982, I am requesting the following:
1. All briefing documents related to the decision to designate Hezbollah in its
entirety and Ansar Allah (also known as The Houthis) as terrorist entities.
Please also include related correspondence and documents, such as
communications with the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister, National
Security Board papers, and any communications or engagement plans.
Additionally, I request the following:
2. Any communications with foreign governments or non-governmental
organisations regarding the designation of Hezbollah and the Houthis as terrorist
organisations.
3. Information on when the process to designate Hezbollah and the Houthis as
terrorist organisations was initiated, including details of the individuals, agencies,
or departments responsible for starting the process.
4. Documentation or records detailing the initiation of this process, including
internal communications, memos, or any other relevant materials.
5. Any documents or analysis that considered the acts of terror committed by the
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) or Mossad against the Lebanese and Palestinian
people concerning Hezbollah's actions, particularly in the context of the decision
to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist entity.
Please note that I do not seek information already in the public domain, specifically the
Statement of Case to Designate (Hezbollah/Houthis) As A Terrorist Entity.”
On 3 December 2024, I wrote to you advising that we had transferred the following aspects of
your request:
• Part 1 of your request as it relates to information from Crown Law (CLO), including a
letter from the Attorney-General in response to a consultation letter from the Prime
Minister, has been transferred to CLO.
• Part 2 of your request as it relates to any relevant communications with foreign
governments and any communications with foreign non-governmental organisations
held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), has been transferred to
MFAT.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4970400
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz
• Parts 3 and 4 of your request about the initiation of the process for the designation of
terrorist organisations has been transferred to NZ Police.
The remainder of your request remained with DPMC.
I have decided to extend the time limits for deciding on your request by an additional 20
working days under section 15A of the Act. Consequently, the extended due date for your
response will be 7 February 2025. This due date takes into account the summer holiday
period, in which 25 December to 15 January are not counted as working day.
The extension is required because of the consultations needed to make a decision on your
request. Despite the extension, a response will be sent to you as soon as possible.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section
28(3) of the Act.
Nāku noa, nā
Amy Teague
Manager, Ministerial Services
3249891
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