28 April 2026
Ref: OIA-2025/26-0633
R. D. B.
Via FYI.org.nz
[FYI request #34344 email]
Tēnā koe
Official Information Act request relating to lobbying
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request, which was received by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) on 1 April 2026. You requested:
“… information regarding any lobbying-related activities, affiliations, or engagements
any government department, member of parliament, or parliamentary support staff
maintains with entities that have an Israeli, Zionist, or Jewish background. This request
forms part of a broader transparency and due-diligence process intended to ensure
clarity around external influences, advocacy networks, and policy-shaping
relationships. To support this review, please provide the following information:
1. Lobbying Activities
a. A description of any lobbying efforts undertaken on behalf of, in coordination
with, or in response to organisations or institutions with an Israeli, Zionist, or
Jewish background.
b. The policy areas, legislative matters, or public-sector engagements
involved.
2. Organisational Affiliations
a. A list of any formal or informal relationships with lobbying groups, advocacy
organisations, or public-affairs entities connected to Israeli, Zionist, or
Jewish communities or institutions.
b. The purpose and scope of each relationship.
3. Funding and Support
a. Disclosure of any financial contributions, grants, retainers, or in-kind support
received from lobbying organisations or advocacy groups within the above
categories.
b. The timeframe, value, and intended use of such support.
4. Representation and Personnel
a. Information on whether any members of your leadership, staff, consultants,
or advisors have previously worked for, represented, or held positions within
lobbying organisations of Israeli, Zionist, or Jewish background.
b. The nature of their involvement and any ongoing connections.
5. Strategic Partnerships or Joint Initiatives
a. Details of any collaborative advocacy campaigns, policy initiatives, research
projects, or public-affairs strategies conducted in partnership with
organisations falling within the scope of this request.
6. Additional Relevant Information
a. Any other context or documentation that may assist in understanding any
historical or current lobbying relationships with these groups.
If certain details cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality or legal constraints, please
indicate the applicable limitations and provide any alternative information that may
support our review.”
5150222
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
We wrote to you on 20 April 2026 seeking clarification of the names of the organisations,
groups, institutions, and entities to which the various parts of your request refer, and any
timeframe for the information sought. We advised you that, without further clarification, your
request would likely be refused under section 18(g) of the Act. You responded on
21 April 2026 advising a timeframe of 27 November 2025 to the date of your request,
1 April 2026. You did not specify the names of any organisations, group or institutions.
DPMC can only respond to requests for information with information held by DPMC. The
information you have requested is not held by DPMC and I do not believe it is held by, or
more closely connected to, another entity subject to the Act. Accordingly, I am refusing your
request under section 18(g) of the Act.
I also note that you have referred to information you believe may be held by Members of
Parliament (MPs). It may be helpful to note that MPs are not subject to the Act, and requests
for official information cannot be transferred to them. You may wish to contact individual
members if you have questions about their engagements. A directory of MPs can be found
on the New Zealand Parliament website here
: https://www3.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-
electorates/members-of-parliament. You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
This response wil be published on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s
website during our regular publication cycle. Typically, information is released monthly, or as
otherwise determined.
Nāku noa, nā
Jenna Hansen
Manager, Accountability and Ministerial Services
5150222
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