UNCLASSIFIED
New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay
26 August 2025
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
T +64 4 439 8000
F +64 4 472 9596
John Wilson
OIA 30212
[FYI request #31356 email]
Tēnā koe John Wilson
Thank you for your email of 21 June 2025 in which you request the following under the
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
“The rationale for New Zealand’s participation in the NATO Summit in June 2025.
Any formal briefings or preparatory documents prepared for the Prime Minister or
other members of the New Zealand delegation ahead of the Summit.
Any strategic objectives, talking points, or planning documents produced concerning
New Zealand’s attendance.
A list of any bilateral or multilateral meetings scheduled to occur alongside the
Summit, including participating countries or organisations.
Any correspondence between the Prime Minister’s Office and MFAT discussing the
purpose or anticipated value of attending the NATO Summit.
A complete list of New Zealand’s official delegation to the NATO Summit, including
any officials, advisers, and defence or military personnel accompanying the Prime
Minister or attending in any capacity.
”
On
1 July 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) contacted you to
advise that your request asked for a substantial amount of information, and it would likely
be refused under section 18(f) of the OIA. You agreed to refine the scope of your request
to be for:
“Any formal advice prepared for the Prime Minister regarding the NATO Summit in
June 2025.
- A list of briefing notes or talking points for meetings alongside the Summit.
- A list of New Zealand’s official delegation to the NATO Summit.”
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 2 of 3
On 29 July 2025, the timeframes for responding to your request were extended by an
additional 20 working days because responding to your request necessitated the review of
a large quantity of information, and due to the consultations necessary to make a decision
on your request (section 15A(1)(a) and (b) of the OIA refers).
The documents in the table below are in scope of your request. Please note this information
is accurate as at the date it was provided by the Ministry to the Prime Minister’s Office,
and does not necessarily capture the final record of the events and meetings attended by
the Prime Minister during his travel. :
#
Document title
1.
Visit to Belgium, the European Union, the Netherlands and attendance at the
NATO Summit June 2025 OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND BRIEF
2.
Visit to Belgium, the European Union, the Netherlands and attendance at the
NATO Summit 21 – 25 June 2025 BRIEFING MATERIAL, 24 June 2025
3.
Visit to Belgium, the European Union, the Netherlands and attendance at the
NATO Summit 21 – 25 June 2025 BRIEFING MATERIAL, 25 June 2025
4.
OVERSEAS VISIT BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHRISTOPHER LUXON PRIME
MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND TO BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS AND THE
NATO SUMMIT - PROGRAMME SUMMARY
5.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS PACKAGE
6.
NATO DELEGATION LIST 2025
Some information is withheld under the following sections of the OIA:
•
6(a): to avoid prejudicing the security or defence of New Zealand or the
international relations of the New Zealand Government;
•
6(b)(i): to protect the passing of information from another government on a
confidential basis;
•
6(b)(ii): to protect the passing of information from an international organisation on
a confidential basis;
•
6(c): to avoid prejudice to the maintenance of the law, including the prevention,
investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial;
•
6(e)(iii): to avoid damage to the New Zealand economy by the premature
disclosure of decisions relating to taxation;
•
6(e)(iv): to avoid damage to the New Zealand economy by the premature
disclosure of decisions relating to the stability, control, and adjustment of prices of
goods and services;
•
6(e)(vi): to avoid damage to the New Zealand economy by the premature
disclosure of decisions relating to the entering into of overseas trade agreements;
•
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy;
•
9(2)(b)(ii): to avoid prejudice to the commercial position of another party;
Page 3 of 3
•
9(2)(d): to protect the economic interests of New Zealand;
•
9(2)(f)(iv): to protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the
Crown and officials;
•
9(2)(g)(i): to protect the free and frank expression of opinions by departments;
and
•
9(2)(j): to avoid prejudice to negotiations.
Please note that the NATO Delegation List is a draft document, and the Chief Executive,
DPMC and Senior Press Secretary did not end up taking part in the official delegation.
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.
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/
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
