Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

In light of New Zealand’s recent sanctions against two Israeli diplomats for their alleged violent rhetoric, I'm clarity on whether New Zealand will apply the same standard to South African politicians who have openly called for the killing of white people in South Africa. These inflammatory statements, which incite racial violence, are well-documented and pose a severe threat to human rights and stability.

Will New Zealand sanction these individuals, or is the policy on violent rhetoric selectively enforced? I expect a clear explanation of whether New Zealand has a consistent approach to addressing such dangerous rhetoric globally, or if certain cases are conveniently ignored.

Additionally, I request all correspondence received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and/or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, concerning New Zealand’s response to or engagement with the issue of violence in South Africa. I understand that private information of correspondents will be redacted under section 9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act 1982, but I see no reason for the correspondence to be withheld.

I also want all internal correspondence between Ministry officials discussing responses to this correspondence, as well as all draft versions of any response letters prepared, if any.

Yours faithfully,

Carole