Disposal or sale of NZ embassy in Moscow, known as Mindovsky House
dukeofurl made this Official Information request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The request was successful.
From: dukeofurl
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
I understand the Moscow embassy is no longer located in the building known as Mindovsky House, a local landmark being an Art Deco design dating from before the revolution, around 1903.
1)Could you please advise on the date the Embassy vacated this building
2)Regarding the Mindovsky House if the property was NZ owned, if it has been sold and to whom it was sold to, when and if possible the sale price.
3)Has the sale been settled in full ?
4)What was the time difference between moving to the current Embassy on the Moscow river and the sale agreement being signed.
5)With the new location, has the building been bought or is it on a long term lease.
If it was bought, for how much and if on lease what are the terms including monthly rent ( or other period in the lease?)
Yours faithfully,
dukeofurl
From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Thank you for your enquiry.
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Kind regards,
MFAT ENQUIRIES
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
[7]www.mfat.govt.nz | [8]www.safetravel.govt.nz
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From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Thank you for your request.
As we have further questions regarding your Official Information Request would you please provide a direct email address that we can contact you on to discuss further.
Kind regards
MFAT ENQUIRIES
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz
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From: dukeofurl
Dear ENQUIRIES,
Thank you for your reply.
Regarding your request for a private email address, this is unusual and unnecessary.
Therefore I request I be contacted via the email given
Yours sincerely,
dukeofurl
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear dukeofurl
Thank you for your emails of 26 April 2017 and 1 May 2017. It has been
referred to the Executive Services Division to manage.
The provision of information relating to the work of New Zealand
Government agencies, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is
governed by the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The purpose of the
OIA, amongst other things, is to progress the availability of information
to the people of New Zealand to enable effective participation in the
making and administration of laws and to hold Ministers and civil servants
accountable. The OIA specifies who can rely on its provisions and seek
information from government agencies. This criteria is found in section
12(1) of the OIA and provides:
Any person, being-
(a) A New Zealand citizen; or
(b) A permanent resident of New Zealand; or
(c) A person who is in New Zealand; or
(d) A body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or
(e) A body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand
but which has a place of business in New Zealand.
Could you please confirm that you fulfil one of the criteria as outlined
in section 12(1) of the OIA?”
Kind regards
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
[1]www.mfat.govt.nz | [2]www.safetravel.govt.nz
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01CDF8B8.6EB9E580
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From: dukeofurl
Dear ESD,
I can confirm that I am A NZ Citizen by birth.
Yours sincerely,
Steve
dukeofurl
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Steve
Thank you for your OIA request, this email confirms receipt as of 1 May
2017, and advises that your request has been sent to the appropriate
division for response.
Kind regards
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
[1]www.mfat.govt.nz | [2]www.safetravel.govt.nz
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01CDF8B8.6EB9E580
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From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Steve
Thank you for your email of 1 May 2017 requesting information under the
Official Information Act (1982).
The provision of information relating to the work of New Zealand
Government agencies, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is
governed by the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The purpose of the
OIA, amongst other things, is to progress the availability of information
to the people of New Zealand to enable effective participation in the
making and administration of laws and to hold Ministers and civil servants
accountable. The OIA specifies who can rely on its provisions and seek
information from government agencies. This criteria is found in section
12(1) of the OIA and provides:
Any person, being-
(a) A New Zealand citizen; or
(b) A permanent resident of New Zealand; or
(c) A person who is in New Zealand; or
(d) A body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or
(e) A body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand
but which has a place of business in New Zealand.
Could you please confirm that you fulfil one of the criteria as outlined
in section 12(1) of the OIA and please also provide evidence of your
eligibility?
We are more than happy to transact this query through a direct email
address.
Kind regards
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
T +64 4 439 8000 E [1][email address]
[2]www.mfat.govt.nz | [3]www.safetravel.govt.nz
[UNCLASSIFIED]
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From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Steve
We are wondering if you have had a chance to consider our request below
regarding eligibility? We would appreciate a response so we can ascertain
if we are able to progress your request.
Kind regards
Executive Services Division
From: ESD
Sent: Friday, 5 May 2017 12:12 p.m.
To: [FOI #5792 email]
Subject: OIA Request - Confirmation of Eligibility
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Steve
Thank you for your email of 1 May 2017 requesting information under the
Official Information Act (1982).
The provision of information relating to the work of New Zealand
Government agencies, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is
governed by the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The purpose of the
OIA, amongst other things, is to progress the availability of information
to the people of New Zealand to enable effective participation in the
making and administration of laws and to hold Ministers and civil servants
accountable. The OIA specifies who can rely on its provisions and seek
information from government agencies. This criteria is found in section
12(1) of the OIA and provides:
Any person, being-
(a) A New Zealand citizen; or
(b) A permanent resident of New Zealand; or
(c) A person who is in New Zealand; or
(d) A body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or
(e) A body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand
but which has a place of business in New Zealand.
Could you please confirm that you fulfil one of the criteria as outlined
in section 12(1) of the OIA and please also provide evidence of your
eligibility?
We are more than happy to transact this query through a direct email
address.
Kind regards
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
T +64 4 439 8000 E [1][email address]
[2]www.mfat.govt.nz | [3]www.safetravel.govt.nz
[UNCLASSIFIED]
[UNCLASSIFIED]
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From: dukeofurl
Dear ESD,
I replied on May 1 to your request with my status, and you confirmed my reply on that date.
I have the email chain to verify this.
Im sure you do as well , if you check your records
Yours sincerely,
Steve
dukeofurl
From: dukeofurl
Dear ESD,
I replied on May 1 to your request with my status, and you confirmed my reply on that date.
I have the email chain to verify this.
Im sure you do as well , if you check your records
Yours sincerely,
Steve
dukeofurl
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Steve
Thank you for your response. I apologise for the duplication of our request. I refer to our email of 5 May 2017, and ask if you could provide proof of your eligibility to request information under the Official Information Act 1982. We appreciate your assistance in the matter.
Kind Regards
ESD
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From: dukeofurl
Dear ESD,
Regarding the status of an OIA requester , being a person in NZ or a NZ citizen. As I said I have confirmed my eligibility.
You should be mindful of the Ombusdmans directions on this matter
"Agencies are entitled to make reasonable enquiries to satisfy themselves that a requester is
eligible to make a request under the OIA. "
"However, the eligibility requirement is not about imposing unnecessary barriers to legitimate requests."
"Agencies should only query eligibility if there is a genuine need to do so, and they should be mindful of their obligation to provide reasonable assistance to requesters".
"Time taken to confirm eligibility may mean less time is available for processing a request that is subsequently confirmed to be valid. "
There doesnt seem to be a genuine need to keep returning to this theme, especially since 15 days have been wasted by not keeping track of my previous response.
Reference http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/syste...
Yours sincerely,
Steve
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Please find attached, a response to your OIA request of 1 May 2017.
Kind regards,
Executive Services Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
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