Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/32819-foreign-officials-visits-and-gifts-to-police on February 28, 2026 18:30

Foreign officials visits and gifts to police

Will Evans made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police

The request was partially successful.

From: Will Evans

Kia ora,

Under the OIA, I'd like to request some information:

1. A list of in-person visits in New Zealand made by foreign officials to the Police between January 1 2024 and the present. In this list please include the name or position/job title of the person (or people) visiting, the country the visitor (or visitors) represent, the government department (or departments) the visitor/visitors represent, and the date of the visit (or a date range if the visit takes place over multiple days).

2. A list of gifts given to the Police or any individual employees of the Police by foreign government officials between January 1 2024 and the present. In this list please include a description of the gift given, the name of the foreign official who gave the gift, the official's position/job title if it is available, the country they represent, the government department they represent if any, and the date the gift was given (if an exact date isn't available, an approximation is fine).

I look forward to your decision on this request.

Ngā mihi,
Will Evans

Link to this

From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Tēnā koe Will,

I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request below.

Your reference number is IR-01-25-41230.

You can expect a response to your request on or before 9 December 2025 unless an extension is needed.

Ngā mihi

Jonelle |Advisor: Ministerial Services |(she/her)
Policy & Partnerships |Police National Headquarters |

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Kia ora

I refer to your request below. I have been asked to advise you that Police requires an extension of time in which to respond to your request, pursuant to section 15A(1) of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Specifically, section 15A(1)(a), the request is for a large quantity of official information or necessitates a search through a large quantity of information and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the organisation.

Police requires until 19 December 2025 to provide a substantive response to your request, however we are endeavouring to provide this to you as soon as possible.

You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about this extension. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Ngā mihi,

Siena (she/her)
Advisor - Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Will Evans

Kia ora,

Will a decision be able to be given to me today?

Cheers,
Will

Link to this

From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Kia ora Will

I apologise for the lateness of the response to your OIA.

I can advise your response has now been drafted and is proceeding through Police’s internal review and approval process. We will endeavour to get this to you as soon as practicable in the new year.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz

Ngā mihi,

Siena (she/her)
Advisor - Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Will Evans

Kia ora,

Can you share the status of this request? Thank you.

Thanks,
Will

Link to this

From: WINCH, Megan
New Zealand Police

Kia ora Will. My apology that you are still waiting on a response to your OIA request. I have checked with the team and I can advise that the response is still going through the Executive approval process. We will endeavour to get this to you as soon as we can. Thanks you for your patience. Kind regards Megan

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Attachment OIA Response documentation IR 01 25 41230.pdf
820K Download View as HTML

Attachment OIA Response letter IR 01 25 41230.pdf
548K Download View as HTML

Tēnā koe Will

 

Please find attached the response and documentation relating to your
Official Information Act request, received by Police on 11 November 2025.

 

Please accept our apologies for the delay in providing you with a response
to your request.

 

Ngā mihi

Lisa

Ministerial Services

Police National Headquarters

 

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the
addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be
subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which
creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you
are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this
message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this
message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this
message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If
you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the
sender immediately

Link to this

From: Will Evans

Kia ora,

Thank you for this!

I have a question about the information withheld under OIA section 6(a) on the list of visits. Has any visit been excluded from the list? What exactly has been withheld? I'm unable to. Sorry if it's obvious and is staring me in the face.

Cheers,
Will

Link to this

Things to do with this request

Anyone:
New Zealand Police only: