New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
4 July 2022
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Andrew Li
T +64 4 439 8000
[email address]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28022
Tēnā koe Andrew Li
I refer to your email of 23 April 2022 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
On 0855 Friday, a message was publicly posted on Twitter by the official MFATNZ Twitter
account, suggesting that the Palestinian victims were to blame for the repeated terrorist
attacks by the zionist entity on the al-Aqsa Mosque, and that Palestinians were somehow
obliged to refrain from responding against terror attacks launched by zionists on the third
holiest site in Islam and the Gaza concentration camp.
https://twitter.com/MFATNZ/status/1517245771367673856
I am requesting:
1) All internal notes and communications internally within MFAT and externally with the likes
of Ms Mahuta which related to the production of this message.
2) All internal notes and communications internally within MFAT and externally with the likes
of Ms Mahuta which related to the ongoing zionist terrorist attacks on the Al Aqsa mosque
and Gaza which escalated following the April 15 attack.
3) MFAT policy, documents, and messages related to how MFAT communications should
address Palestine, and the so called state of 'Israel', as well as the conflicts between the
native Palestinian population of Palestine and the zionist invaders.
In addition to the questions above,
4) I am requesting the name of the individual responsible for posting the attack on the
Palestinian people mentioned above:
https://twitter.com/MFATNZ/status/1517245771367673856
On 12 May 2022, the deadline to provide a decision on your request was extended to
23 June 2022, when you were advised that a decision had been made on your request. Thank
you for your patience while this process was completed.
Attached are the documents relevant to questions 1 and 2 of your request. Some portions of the
documents are withheld under the following sections of the OIA:
6(a): to avoid prejudicing the security or defence of New Zealand or the international
relations of the New Zealand Government;
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy;
e [email address]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
9(2)(g)(i): to protect the free and frank expression of opinions by departments; and
9(2)(g)(ii): to protect officers and employees from improper pressure or harassment.
For question 3 we are providing you a summary response to your request as provided for under
section 16(1)(e) of the OIA.
3) MFAT policy, documents, and messages related to how MFAT communications should
address Palestine, and the so called state of 'Israel', as well as the conflicts between the
native Palestinian population of Palestine and the zionist invaders.
New Zealand uses a range of terms, but largely uses Occupied Palestinian Territories and
Palestine to refer to the region, and refers to the West Bank as such. It is well known that
New Zealand shares the overwhelming view of the international community that, since 1967,
Israel has been in occupation of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and its settlements are
a violation of international law. New Zealand largely uses the term ‘Israeli-Palestinian conflict’ to
describe the conflict between these groups, though a range of terms can be used.
4) I am requesting the name of the individual responsible for posting the attack on the
Palestinian people mentioned above:
The name of the employee is being withheld under section 9(2)(g)(ii) of the OIA. I can advise
that they are a member of the Ministry’s Communications and Media Division.
Where the information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, we have identified no public
interest in releasing the information that would override the reasons for withholding it.
Please note that we may publish this letter (with your personal details redacted) and enclosed
documents on the Ministry’s website.
If you have any questions about this decision, you can contact us by email at:
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision by contacting
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Julie-Anne Lee
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
