Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/30375-decision-to-establish-twitter-x-presence on March 16, 2025 12:49

Decision to establish Twitter/X presence

Tyler Smith made this Official Information request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Currently waiting for a response from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).

From: Tyler Smith

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

I request information related to the establishment of a Twitter/X profile for use by MFAT on behalf of the Foreign Minister. The handle is @NewZealandMFA.

Usually Government MPs utilise their existing twitter profiles to publish information related to their Ministerial role, however I noticed this was not followed when Rt Hon Winston Peters became foreign minister - I am interested to understand why this happened.

Please advise.

1. Where did the idea come from to establish a twitter profile seperate to the already existing twitter profile for Rt Hon Winston Peters?

2. Was this idea suggested by MFAT, or Mr Peters/people from his office.

3. Did MFAT identify any risks associated with Mr Peters using his existing twitter profile to publish information related to his Foreign Affairs role?

4. Does Mr Peters have the log in information to publish directly to the @NewZealandMFA profile? Or are any tweets handled by MFAT? (i note tweets from Mr Peters are signed off “WP”

5. What is the sign off process for tweets published or tweets liked by the @NewZealandMFA twitter profile?

6. Please provide any briefings, emails, txts or other communications within MFAT and Foreign Affairs Ministers office related to the establishment of the twitter profile.

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From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[UNCLASSIFIED]

Kia ora and thank you for your email.

For enquiries regarding:
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For all other enquiries, you will receive a response in due course.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

 

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From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[UNCLASSIFIED]

UNCLASSIFIED

Kia ora Tyler Smith

Thank you for your OIA request received on 11 March 2025 for:

1. Where did the idea come from to establish a twitter profile seperate to the already existing twitter profile for Rt Hon Winston Peters?

2. Was this idea suggested by MFAT, or Mr Peters/people from his office.

3. Did MFAT identify any risks associated with Mr Peters using his existing twitter profile to publish information related to his Foreign Affairs role?

4. Does Mr Peters have the log in information to publish directly to the @NewZealandMFA profile? Or are any tweets handled by MFAT? (i note tweets from Mr Peters are signed off “WP”

5. What is the sign off process for tweets published or tweets liked by the @NewZealandMFA twitter profile?

6. Please provide any briefings, emails, txts or other communications within MFAT and Foreign Affairs Ministers office related to the establishment of the twitter profile.

This email confirms receipt of your request and advises that we will respond to it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in terms of the timeframes and requirements of the OIA.

Please note that our response letter to you (with your personal details redacted), and any enclosed documents, may be published on the Ministry’s website.

Ngā mihi

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

UNCLASSIFIED

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