New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
26 June 2023
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Adam Irish
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #22510 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28600
Tēnā koe Adam Irish
I refer to your email of 20 April 2023 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
1. ‘ Any records, including correspondence, reports, memos, or briefings, that discuss
or relate to the use of Hikvision cameras in New Zealand;
2. Any advice, assessments, or recommendations provided by MFAT to the New Zealand
government regarding the potential cybersecurity risks and links to human rights
abuses associated with Hikvision cameras;
3. Any communications or engagement that MFAT has had with the Chinese
government or Hikvision regarding the use of Hikvision cameras in New Zealand;
4. Any information regarding the steps that the New Zealand government has taken or
plans to take to mitigate any potential cybersecurity risks associated with the use
of Hikvision cameras in New Zealand.’
Your request has been numbered for ease of reference.
On 5 May 2023, parts 1 and 4 of your request were transferred to the Government
Communications Security Bureau. Additionally, your request was partially transferred to the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) to respond on information identified by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) as being held by DPMC.
On 19 May 2023, the time limit for responding to your request was extended by 25 working
days.
The Ministry has now made the decision to release information in scope of your request.
However, it will take us a little more time to finalise administratively processing this information
for release and we will provide it to you as soon as practicable.
Some information will be 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;
•
6(b)(i): to protect the passing of information from another government on a confidential
basis;
•
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy;
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
•
9(2)(e): to avoid prejudice to measures that prevent or mitigate material loss to members
of the public
•
9(2)(g)(i): to protect the free and frank expression of opinions by departments;
•
9(2)(f)(iv): to protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and
officials;
•
9(2)(i): to enable agencies to carry out commercial activities
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.
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
Sarah Corbett
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade