Diplomatic implications of critical infrastructure controlled by foreign private individuals
Sam Brown 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: Sam Brown
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request any briefings, diplomatic cables, or advice to Ministers regarding:
1. Diplomatic concerns or foreign policy considerations related to New Zealand critical communications infrastructure being controlled by private individuals who have publicly intervened in foreign conflicts or demonstrated willingness to influence geopolitical outcomes through control of communications services.
2. Any representations made to the United States government, either directly or through diplomatic channels, seeking assurances regarding continuity, reliability, or political neutrality of commercial satellite communications services that New Zealand government agencies, emergency services, or critical infrastructure operators depend upon.
3. Analysis of foreign policy or sovereignty risks arising from key infrastructure being controlled by individuals or corporations who have demonstrated willingness to disable or limit services based on personal political positions, including documented examples such as Starlink service limitations during the Ukraine conflict or decisions regarding service provision to Taiwan.
4. Any advice provided to Ministers on whether New Zealand's increasing dependency on foreign-controlled satellite communications creates diplomatic constraints, intelligence-sharing complications, or obligations that require management through international agreements or bilateral arrangements.
5. Correspondence with Five Eyes partners discussing governance, security standards, or policy coordination regarding commercial satellite communications providers, particularly where those providers have contracts with foreign military or intelligence agencies.
Context: I am seeking to understand whether foreign policy implications have been considered in decisions to increase New Zealand's dependency on communications infrastructure controlled by foreign private individuals with documented history of geopolitical intervention.
Sam Brown
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
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Wellington 6160
New Zealand
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message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately ..
[UNCLASSIFIED]
References
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2. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
3. https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/embassies/
4. https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
5. mailto:[email address]
6. http://www.customs.govt.nz/
7. http://www.nzte.govt.nz/
8. http://www.passports.govt.nz/
9. http://www.dia.govt.nz/New-Zealand-citiz...
10. http://www.dia.govt.nz/document-authenti...
11. https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/having-fi...
12. mailto:[email address]
13. https://vacancies.mfat.govt.nz/
14. mailto:[email address]
15. https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/con...
16. file:///AMasters/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/AGDSL449/www.mfat.govt.nz
17. http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Kia ora Sam
Thank you for your OIA request received on 05/01/26 for:
1. Diplomatic concerns or foreign policy considerations related to New
Zealand critical communications infrastructure being controlled by private
individuals who have publicly intervened in foreign conflicts or
demonstrated willingness to influence geopolitical outcomes through
control of communications services.
2. Any representations made to the United States government, either
directly or through diplomatic channels, seeking assurances regarding
continuity, reliability, or political neutrality of commercial satellite
communications services that New Zealand government agencies, emergency
services, or critical infrastructure operators depend upon.
3. Analysis of foreign policy or sovereignty risks arising from key
infrastructure being controlled by individuals or corporations who have
demonstrated willingness to disable or limit services based on personal
political positions, including documented examples such as Starlink
service limitations during the Ukraine conflict or decisions regarding
service provision to Taiwan.
4. Any advice provided to Ministers on whether New Zealand's increasing
dependency on foreign-controlled satellite communications creates
diplomatic constraints, intelligence-sharing complications, or obligations
that require management through international agreements or bilateral
arrangements.
5. Correspondence with Five Eyes partners discussing governance, security
standards, or policy coordination regarding commercial satellite
communications providers, particularly where those providers have
contracts with foreign military or intelligence agencies.
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
The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the
Ministry. It may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or
the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have received this
message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately ..
UNCLASSIFIED
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