[UNCLASSIFIED]

Kia ora and thank you for your email.

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[UNCLASSIFIED]

Kia ora Andrew Riddell

Thank you for your OIA request received on 11 July 2024 for:

I request the following documents and communications relating to the South African case to the International Court of Justice over whether genocide is being committed by Israel in Gaza:

(a) a complete copy of the 25 January 2024 briefing to the Minister of Foreign Affairs titled ‘New Zealand’s approach to South Africa v Israel – International Court of Justice (ICJ) Genocide Convention case but with redactions to protect the privacy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff under section 9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act

(b) copies of any briefing, memoranda or other communications to the Minster of Foreign Affairs reporting on the interim decision of the International Court of Justice released on 26 January 2024

(c) copies of any briefing, memoranda or other communications to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the further orders by the International Court of Justice dated 28 March 2024, and 24 May 2024 with regard to Israel’s actions in Gaza

In the event that parts of a requested document is redacted relying on section 6(a) of the Official Information I request that clarification is provided showing which of the two circumstances identified in section 6(a) is being relied on of section (i.e. security or defence, international relations); and how releasing the information is likely to be prejudicial. If the international relations circumstance is being relied on I request that the country or countries with which prejudicing international relations is a concern are identified.

I note that there is considerable public interest in this matter and in the advice that the Minster of Foreign Affairs is getting from the Ministry on it.

This email confirms receipt of your request and advises that we will respond to it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in terms of the timeframes and requirements of the OIA.

Please note that our response letter to you (with your personal details redacted), and any enclosed documents, may be published on the Ministry’s website.

Ngā mihi

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

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[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew Riddell,

We are writing in regards to your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 11 July 2024 which asks for:

(a) a complete copy of the 25 January 2024 briefing to the Minister of Foreign Affairs titled ‘New Zealand’s approach to South Africa v Israel – International Court of Justice (ICJ) Genocide Convention case but with redactions to protect the privacy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff under section 9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act
(b) copies of any briefing, memoranda or other communications to the Minster of Foreign Affairs reporting on the interim decision of the International Court of Justice released on 26 January 2024
(c) copies of any briefing, memoranda or other communications to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the further orders by the International Court of Justice dated 28 March 2024, and 24 May 2024 with regard to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

This email is to advise that we will need to extend the time limit for responding to you by 20 working days, to 5 September 2024. This is because:
•consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time frame (section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA refers)
•responding to your request necessitates review of a large quantity of information, and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Ministry (section 15A(1)(a) of the OIA refers).

However, if this process is completed before 5 September 2024, the response will be sent to you as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at: DM [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.

Many thanks,

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

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[UNCLASSIFIED]

Tēnā koe Andrew,

 

On behalf of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, please see
attached the response to your OIA request.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

 

Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

 

 

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