New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay
29 May 2024
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Nick M
T +64 4 439 8000
F +64 4 472 9596
[FYI request #26595 email]
OIA 29341
Tēnā koe Nick M
I refer to your email of 1 May 2024, in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
According to some sources online, New Zealand is an observer state of Mercosur
(the Southern Common Market). I would like to inquire about New Zealand’s
status and involvement in Mercosur.
Specifically, I would like to know about the following aspects:
1. Membership - Firstly, are these online sources correct about New Zealand's
status as an observer state of Mercosur?
2. Extent of Involvement - How involved is New Zealand in the regular
activities and meetings of Mercosur? What roles or positions do we
currently hold or participate in within this group?
3. Contributions Over the Last Five Years - Could you provide details on what
New Zealand has contributed to Mercosur in terms of trade negotiations,
economic dialogues, or other forms of cooperation from 2019 to 2024?
4. Benefits and Objectives - What are the primary benefits that New Zealand
aims to achieve through its observer status in Mercosur? Are there specific
goals or outcomes that the Ministry is working towards in this relationship?
While there are online sources that reference New Zealand’s status as an observer state of
Mercosur, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) has not been able to identify
any documented evidence of New Zealand being an observer state of Mercosur. Therefore, your
request is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA, as the information does not exist, or despite
reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found.
New Zealand is not involved in the regular activities and meetings of Mercosur, and therefore
holds no roles or positions within the group. New Zealand has not held any dialogues or
negotiations, or contributed to any forms of economic cooperation, with Mercosur over the last
five years. The last official dialogue between New Zealand and Mercosur took place in 2018.
I note that while New Zealand does not have any current specific goals or outcomes in relation to
Mercosur, New Zealand does have positive bilateral relationships with Mercosur member
countries.
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
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 response, 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
