19 June 2023
Ref: DOIA 2223-2750
Regan Gibbons
[FYI request #22904 email]
Dear Regan,
Thank you for your email on 25 May 2023 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
“I seek all advice provided to the Minister of Immigration about Sudanese refugees of the
current civil war.”
Please see below my response to your request.
MBIE has identified that the briefing 2223-3776 of 17 May 2023 “Update on the situation in Sudan” is
in scope of your request. A copy of this document is enclosed with this response. Please note that some
information has been withheld under the following sections of the Act:
• s9(2)(a) - to protect the privacy of natural persons;
• s9(2)(f)(iv) - to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the
confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials;
• s9(2)(g)(i) – to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank
expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an
organisation or officers and employees of any public service agency or organisation in the
course of their duty;
I do not consider that the withholding of any information is outweighed by public interest
considerations in making the information available.
I trust you find this information helpful.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision, in
accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely,
Sam Foley
Manager Immigration (International and Humanitarian) Policy
Labour, Science and Enterprise, MBIE
Labour, Science and Enterprise
15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140 New Zealand
E [email address]
W www.mbie.govt.nz