EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
20 April 2026
John Luke
(via FYI.org.nz)
[FYI request #34485 email]
Ref: OIA-2025/26-0657
Tēnā koe John
Official Information Act request: Titles of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Thank you for your Official Information Act (the Act) request received on 13 April 2026.
You requested:
I noted,
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360963879/how-prime-minister-took-ex-prince-
andrews-nz-titles-him
‘Emails released to Stuff under the Official Information Act show that
discussions about Andrew’s positions and honours related to New Zealand
took place between the country’s most senior officials, with Luxon personally
signing off moves to quietly cut Andrew out.’
Can I also get a copy of the same OIA documents you provided to Stuff.
Information being released
I am releasing to you the same documents that were provided to the author of the article
you have referenced. The information being released is listed in the table below, subject
to information being withheld as noted. Where information has been withheld in full it has
not been provided. Any redactions are the same as in the material that was provided to
Stuff. The relevant grounds under which information has been withheld are:
1. Section 6(a), to protect the security or defence of New Zealand or the
international relations of the Government of New Zealand
2. Section 6(b)(i), to protect the entrusting of information to the Government of New
Zealand on a basis of confidence by the Government of any other country or any
agency of such a Government
3. Section 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of individuals
4. Section 9(2)(f)(i), to protect the confidentiality of Sovereign communications
5. Section 9(2)(f)(iv), to maintain the confidentiality of advice tendered by or to
Ministers and officials
5150780
CABINET OFFICE, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, WELLINGTON 6011, NEW ZEALAND
Telephone: +64 (4) 830 5010. Email: [email address]
www.dpmc.govt.nz
6. Section 9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the
free and frank expression of opinion
Item date
Description
Release decision
1
24/02/2026 advice to PMO on reply to Journalist
Released with partial
regarding Andrew Mountbatten-
redaction under
Windsor (AMW) 1990 medal
s9(2)(a) and s9(2)(g)(i)
2
24/02/2026 emails with PMO regarding Cabinet
Released with partial
Office correspondence
redaction under
s9(2)(a)
3
24/02/2026 emails with PMO regarding Cabinet
Released with partial
Office correspondence
redaction under
s9(2)(a)
4
24/02/2026 emails with PMO regarding final
Released with partial
comment from the PM on succession
redaction under
s9(2)(a)
5
24/02/2026 emails with PMO regarding draft
Released with partial
comment on succession
redaction under
s9(2)(a) and s9(2)(g)(i)
6
23/02/2026 email to PMO informing of
Released with partial
correspondence from UK Cabinet
redaction under s6(a),
Office and process for previous law of s6(b)(i), and s9(2)(a)
succession changes in 2013
7
23/02/2026 email chain with PMO & DPMC media Released with partial
on responding to AMW queries
redaction under
s9(2)(a)
10
22/02/2026 emails with PMO regarding a media
Released with partial
enquiry
redaction under s6(a),
s6(b)(i), and s9(2)(a)
11
19/12/2025 advice for Antarctic Naming
Released with partial
Committee
redactions under
s9(2)(a), s9(2)(g)(i), or
out of scope
12
16/12/2025 email regarding response to enquiry
Released in full
regarding AMW's New Zealand titles
and honours
13
10/12/2025 email with PMO confirming
Released with partial
cancellation of AMW 1990 medal
redactions under
s9(2)(a)
19
14/11/2025 note to PM on process for cancellation Released with partial
of AMW’s1990 medal
redactions under
s9(2)(f)(i)
21
5/11/2025
email to PMO regarding succession
Released with partial
redaction under
s9(2)(a)
22
5/11/2025
email from the PM regarding 1990
Released with partial
medal
redactions under
s9(2)(a), s9(2)(f)(iv),
and s9(2)(g)(i)
23
3/11/2025
email to PMO regarding AMW NZ
Released with partial
Honours
redaction under
s9(2)(a)
24
3/11/2025
email to PMO regarding the line of
Released with partial
succession
redaction under
s9(2)(a)
28
31/10/2025 enquiry regarding AMW's NZ titles and Released with partial
honours
redactions under
s9(2)(a)
In making my decision on the original request from Stuff, in accordance with section 9(1)
of the Act I considered whether the public interest in disclosure outweighed the need to
withhold the information, and I concluded that it did not. I have concluded the same
decision applies to your request.
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. Your personal information including name and contact
details wil be removed for publication.
Nāku noa, nā
Rachel Hayward
Clerk of the Executive Council
