New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
15 February 2024
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Lance D. Lavery
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #25274 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28999
Tēnā koe Lance Lavery
I refer to your email of 21 December 2023 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
‘I am writing to lodge a formal request under the Official Information Act 1982, concerning
the "Trans-Tasman Roadmap to 2035." This document is pivotal in illustrating the
collaborative efforts between New Zealand and Australia and is crucial for public
understanding of our joint strategic objectives and their implications.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I respectfully seek the following information:
1. The complete and most recent version of the "Trans-Tasman Roadmap to 2035," along
with comprehensive updates on its implementation from its commencement to the
present.
2. Official records from the annual Leaders’ Meetings after the roadmap's initiation,
including minutes, executive summaries, or key outcomes relevant to the roadmap’s
progression and future directions.
3. Detailed descriptions of collaborative initiatives and projects undertaken by New
Zealand and Australia, specifically those focusing on sustainable economic growth and
climate change mitigation.
4. Documentation that highlights the integration of Indigenous Peoples' interests within
the roadmap's framework, underlining their active participation in relevant policy-
making processes.
5. Evaluative reports or studies assessing the impact of the roadmap on the Pacific region,
focusing on its contribution to fostering regional peace, stability, prosperity, and
resilience.’
In response to the first part of your request for the complete and most recent version of the
"Trans-Tasman Roadmap to 2035". This document is publicly available on the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (the Ministry) website via the below link. Therefore, this part of your request is refused
under section 18(d) of the OIA, as the information requested is publicly available:
https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/Trade-agreements/Australia-NZ-CER/Trans-Tasman-
Roadmap-to-2035.pdf
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 3
The remainder of part one of your request for
comprehensive updates on its implementation
from its commencement to the present, is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA, as the
information requested does not exist.
Regarding part two of your request we have interpreted this to be for:
Official records from the Australia New Zealand Leaders Meeting held in Wellington on the
26 July 2023 after the roadmap's initiation, including minutes, executive summaries, or
key outcomes relevant to the roadmap’s progression and future directions.
There are three pieces of information in scope of this part of your request.
The first is the joint statement released after the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum. This
is publicly available on the Ministry’s website via the below link. Therefore, this part of your
request is refused under section 18(d) of the OIA, as the information requested is publicly
available:
https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/Trade-agreements/Australia-NZ-CER/Joint-
Statement-ANZLM-2023.pdf
The remaining two pieces of information in scope of your request are the document titled
‘FORMAL MESSAGE: AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND LEADERS MEETING 2023’ and a File Note
relating to the Forum. Please find these documents attached. We have withheld some
information 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.
Regarding part three of your request, for descriptions of collaborative initiatives and projects
undertaken by New Zealand and Australia. We have identified the following 4 documents as
being in scope:
Document 1 – FORMAL MESSAGE: AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND CER MINISTERIAL 2023;
Document 2 – File Note – Closer Economic Relations Trade Min meeting Adelaide 2023;
Document 3 – Sustainable and Inclusive Trade Declaration; and
Document 4 – Joint Statement: Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting 2023.
We have withheld some of the information in these documents 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.
Regarding part four of your request, for documentation that highlights the integration of
Indigenous Peoples' interests within the roadmap's framework, the information relevant to this
Page 3 of 3
part of your request is on pages 34 through 38 of the attached documents. We have withheld
some information 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; and
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy.
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.
The fifth part of your request, for evaluative reports or studies assessing the impact of the
roadmap on the Pacific region, focusing on its contribution to fostering regional peace, stability,
prosperity, and resilience, is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA, as the information
requested does not exist.
Please note that it is our policy to proactively release our responses to official information
requests where possible. Therefore, our response to your request (with your personal information
removed) may be published on the Ministry website: www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/contact-
us/official-information-act-responses/
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 Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
