Official Information Act 1982 request — communications regarding social media amplification of India FTA messaging
Joshua Riley made this Official Information request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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From: Joshua Riley
I am making this request under the Official Information Act 1982.
I request the following information held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, covering the period 1 January 2025 to the date of this request:
1. All communications (including emails, text messages, WhatsApp / Signal / other messaging app correspondence, letters, briefings, file notes, meeting minutes, and diary entries) between staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and any of the following parties, where the subject matter relates to the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement or to the promotion, amplification, or social media coverage of statements by the Prime Minister or the Minister for Trade and Investment regarding India or the FTA:
a. Social media influencers, content creators, or operators of social media accounts (including but not limited to accounts on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and WhatsApp);
b. Public relations, communications, marketing, or digital strategy firms or consultants;
c. Media organisations, journalists, or media-buying agencies based in India or primarily serving Indian audiences;
d. Diaspora organisations, community groups, or business councils with a focus on India–New Zealand relations;
e. Officials, agencies, or representatives of the Government of India (including the Indian High Commission to New Zealand, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry) where those communications relate to social media activity, content sharing, or coordinated promotion;
f. Any third party engaged or paid (whether by [agency], by another government agency, or by a contracted intermediary) to promote, amplify, share, retweet, like, or otherwise increase the reach of social media content concerning the India FTA.
2. Any contracts, statements of work, purchase orders, invoices, or financial records relating to the engagement of any party for the purpose of social media amplification, influencer marketing, audience targeting, or coordinated promotion of messaging concerning the India FTA, including any spend on paid amplification on X/Twitter or other platforms.
3. Any internal strategy documents, communications plans, media plans, or briefings concerning the digital or social media communications strategy for the India FTA, including any analysis, monitoring, or reporting on social media engagement (e.g. retweets, likes, follower analytics) of posts by the Prime Minister or the Minister for Trade and Investment relating to India or the FTA.
4. Any correspondence with platforms (including X Corp / Twitter, Meta, Google) regarding the promotion, boosting, or analytics of posts relating to the India FTA.
For the avoidance of doubt, this request includes communications conducted on personal devices or non-government accounts where they relate to official business, in line with the Ombudsman's guidance on the OIA.
If any part of this request is considered too broad or would require substantial collation under section 18(f), I would appreciate the opportunity to refine the scope rather than have the request refused. Please contact me before invoking that section.
I would prefer to receive the information by email, in its original electronic format where possible.
I note the statutory timeframe of 20 working days under section 15(1) of the Act and look forward to your response.
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
[16]www.mfat.govt.nz | [17]www.safetravel.govt.nz
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]
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/contact
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: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Tēnā koe Joshua Riley,
On behalf of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, please see
attached the response to your OIA request.
Ngā mihi,
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū 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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