Correspondence relating to UNRWA from 24/01/24 to 31/01/24

Elise Campbell made this Official Information request to Winston Peters

The request was refused by Winston Peters.

From: Elise Campbell

Dear Winston Peters,

I am emailing to request correspondence between yourself and the Prime Minister's Office as well as the Ministry of Defence, relating to decisions about funding for UNRWA, specifically for the period from 24/01/2024 to 31/01/24. If there are any memoranda about phone conversations held, this would be helpful, in addition to any emails exchanged.

I am requesting this information as it appears there is a disconnect between what has been said by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon about a potential funding pause and what has been said by yourself. I am seeking clarity on how this decision was made and what parties have been involved.

Yours faithfully,
Elise Campbell

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From: Winston Peters (MIN)
Winston Peters

Dear Correspondent  

 

Thank you for contacting Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Racing.  

 

The Deputy Prime Minister considers all correspondence important and
appreciates you taking the time to write.   

 

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of correspondence, it is not always possible to personally reply to all
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The Office of Rt Hon Winston Peters

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From: Jamie Allen


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Dear Elise Campbell, 

 

Thank you for your email received 31 January 2024 in which you submitted
an Official Information Act request as follows: 

I am emailing to request correspondence between yourself and the Prime
Minister's Office as well as the Ministry of Defence, relating to
decisions about funding for UNRWA, specifically for the period from
24/01/2024 to 31/01/24. If there are any memoranda about phone
conversations held, this would be helpful, in addition to any emails
exchanged.

I am requesting this information as it appears there is a disconnect
between what has been said by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon about a
potential funding pause and what has been said by yourself. I am seeking
clarity on how this decision was made and what parties have been involved.

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in
any event no later than 29 February 2024, being 20 working days after the
day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request
by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact our office. If any
additional factors come to light which are relevant to your request,
please do not hesitate to contact us so that these can be taken into
account.

Kind regards, 

Private Secretary.

Office of Rt Hon Winston Peters
Deputy Prime Minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs |

Minister for Racing |

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

 

 

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From: Winston Peters (MIN)
Winston Peters


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Attachment OIA Letter Elise Campbell.pdf
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Dear Elise Campbell

 

Please find attached a letter regarding your OIA request to the Minister
of Foreign Affairs.

 

Kind regards

  

 

Foreign Affairs Private Secretary

 

Office of Rt Hon Winston Peters

Deputy Prime Minister |

Minister of Foreign Affairs | Minister for Racing |

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

 

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From: Elise Campbell

Kia ora Jamie,

My apologies for the belated reply. I am satisfied with the rescoping of the OIA request as outlined in your letter.

Yours sincerely,

Elise Campbell

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Andrew Riddell left an annotation ()

There seems to be a pattern of foreign affairs staff wanting to reword requests accompanied by threats to refuse the original request.

Not clear how this behaviour lines up with the Official Information Act.

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From: Winston Peters (MIN)
Winston Peters


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Attachment OIA Letter Elise Campbell 11.04.pdf
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Dear Elise Campbell

 

Please find attached a response to your OIA request of 31 January 2024  to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 

Kind regards

 

Foreign Affairs Private Secretary

 

Office of Rt Hon Winston Peters

Deputy Prime Minister |

Minister of Foreign Affairs | Minister for Racing |

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

 

 

 

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Andrew Riddell left an annotation ()

This request was refused on very shabby grounds.

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Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Winston Peters only: