[FYI request #17217 email]
16 November 2021
Dear John Luke
RE: OIA 20-21-09 NZTE and Alibaba Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Thank you for your email of 19 October 2021, requesting the following information:
1.
A full copy of this MoU and it’s term of conditions
2.
How it got reviewed and renewed.
3.
Who is the person in charge of this MoU within NZTE.
4.
Does NZTE sign any similar MoU with other entities, please provide the name of each
entities you have similar MoU with.
The information you have requested is below and attached. This responds to your request in
full.
1.
A full copy of this MoU and it’s term of conditions
Please see attached as Appendix One, NZTE’s MoU with Alibaba which responds to your
first request. We have withheld information under the following sections of the Official
Information Act:
•
s9(2)(a): protect the privacy of natural person.
2.
How it got reviewed and renewed.
The NZTE MoU with Alibaba was signed in 2016 by NZTE’s Chief Executive Pete Chrisp,
and Alibaba’s Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Maggie Zhou. The objective of
the MoU was to support New Zealand businesses’ e-commerce growth in China through
Alibaba’s platforms. The MoU was signed for an initial 12-month period, with the option to
extend after 12 months if both parties agreed. The MoU was not reviewed or renewed or
extended however NZTE and Alibaba continue to work together closely on different e-
commerce initiatives and opportunities to support NZ businesses’ growth.
3.
Who is the person in charge of this MoU within NZTE.
As this MoU is out of date and no longer stands, there is no one at NZTE who is in charge of
this agreement.
T: +64 4 816 8100
F: +64 4 816 8101
W: nzte.govt.nz
W: newzealand.com/business
Level 15, The Majestic Centre, 100 Wil is Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, PO Box 2878, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
4.
Does NZTE sign any similar MoU with other entities, please provide the name of
each entities you have similar MoU with.
NZTE has interpreted this request to mean does NZTE have any MoU’s focused on e-
commerce with entities similar in nature to Alibaba. While NZTE may enter into Memoranda
of Understanding with other parties in the course of its business, to the best of its knowledge
NZTE does not have a similar MoU in place with a multinational technology company
specialising in e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology entity such as Alibaba.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Melissa Trochon
DIRECTOR – BOARD AND MINISTERIAL
Encl List documents enclosed
•
Appendix One: NZTE and Alibaba Memorandum of Understanding
Appendix One: NZTE and Alibaba Memorandum of Understanding SIGNED
