Government actions on Israel being found to be committing genocide
Mike Bell 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: Mike Bell
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982.
Following recent findings by United Nations bodies that Israel has committed acts amounting to genocide, I request the following information held by MFAT:
1. Any records, correspondence, or briefing notes showing whether New Zealand has considered its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (“Genocide Convention”) in relation to these UN findings.
2. The dates on which any internal or external advice (legal or otherwise) was sought or received about New Zealand’s obligations under the Genocide Convention in this context. I am not requesting the substance of any privileged advice, only the fact that advice was sought/received and the dates concerned.
3. Any Cabinet papers, ministerial briefings, or departmental advice (excluding privileged legal content) that consider what actions, if any, New Zealand should take in response to the UN findings regarding Israel and genocide.
4. Any communications with international partners (e.g. UN member states, the International Court of Justice, or treaty bodies) concerning New Zealand’s position on the genocide findings against Israel.
For clarity, I am not seeking the contents of privileged legal advice, but rather records of actions taken, the existence and timing of advice, and any policy or diplomatic considerations arising from the UN’s findings.
Yours faithfully,
Mike Bell
From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Kia ora,
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Ngâ mihi
MFAT ENQUIRIES
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
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show quoted sections
From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Kia ora Mike,
Thank you for your OIA request received on 18/09/2025 for:
1. Any records, correspondence, or briefing notes showing whether New
Zealand has considered its obligations under the Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (“Genocide Convention”)
in relation to these UN findings.
2. The dates on which any internal or external advice (legal or otherwise)
was sought or received about New Zealand’s obligations under the Genocide
Convention in this context. I am not requesting the substance of any
privileged advice, only the fact that advice was sought/received and the
dates concerned.
3. Any Cabinet papers, ministerial briefings, or departmental advice
(excluding privileged legal content) that consider what actions, if any,
New Zealand should take in response to the UN findings regarding Israel
and genocide.
4. Any communications with international partners (e.g. UN member states,
the International Court of Justice, or treaty bodies) concerning New
Zealand’s position on the genocide findings against Israel.
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.
Ngâ mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere
UNCLASSIFIED
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