New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
24 May 2022
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Mr Jones
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #19347 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28061
Tēnā koe Mr Jones
I refer to your email of 14 May 2022 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
As per OIA I am requesting full disclosure and release of all communications that the
Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade has received regarding Monarch Queen Elizabeth II
passing
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) holds a set of documents relevant to your
request. These documents and their titles are withheld in full, 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; and
6(b)(i): to protect the passing of information from another government on a confidential
basis.
However, in line with section 16(1)(e) of the OIA, we have instead prepared a summary of these
documents.
MFAT’s Protocol Division has a plan outlining MFAT’s role and response actions in the event of
the Monarch’s death. The plan notes that the New Zealand Cabinet Office has lead responsibility
for coordinating the New Zealand Government’s response to the death of the Monarch, and
includes the following details:
Who is responsible for providing the initial notification and to whom;
The activation of the plan and activation of MFAT’s task force;
The process of MFAT notification to the Realm countries of Niue, the Cook Islands and
Tokelau;
The tasking for the New Zealand High Commission in London;
A draft Formal Message to New Zealand posts offshore providing initial notification followed
by instructions to half-mast the New Zealand flag, open books of condolence and provide
information on the public observance of mourning and any national memorial service, and
instruction to provide formal notification to the host Government; and
The notification that will be provided to the diplomatic and consular corps accredited to
New Zealand and to provide them with information on condolence books and any national
memorial service.
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
Please note that we may publish this letter (with your personal details redacted) 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