Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

I would like to request some information under the Official Information Act about how New Zealand appoints Honorary Consuls to foreign countries. In particular I would like to request:

* any procedures or policies that outline who can be selected as a Honorary Consul. I would be particularly interested in any documents outlining selection criteria (including what link to New Zealand that they need to demonstrate), and who makes the nomination.

* any procedures or policies that outline how any complaints about Honorary Counsels are to be dealt with.

* I would also like to know if there have been any complaints made about Honorary Consuls made in the last 5 years, and if there have been, a breakdown of the date, outcome, and a brief description of the nature of the complaint.

* to get an idea of what this involves I would also like to request all documents relating to the appointment of New Zealand's latest honorary consul, whoever that may be.

I understand that some information may have to be withheld. I would greatly prefer that redactions be made rather than any documents be withheld in full. If any documents are withheld in full I would like to request that the titles and dates of those documents be released.

Feel free to contact me if you wish me to clarify my request.

Yours faithfully,

Joshua Grainger

Dear ESD,

I am very disappointed in this extension. The Ombudsman has clearly said before that only one extension is permitted under the law, and that has already been used. To quote from their guide: "The Act does not allow for further extensions to be notified if the original extension cannot be met."

Yours sincerely,

Joshua Grainger