Urgent Request for Transparency: Full Disclosure on New Zealand-Israel Communications Regarding Gaza Conflict
Lance D. Lavery made this Official Information request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The request was refused by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
From: Lance D. Lavery
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) regarding the conflict in Gaza that began on 7 October 2023. I am seeking access to the following information:
1. All Written Communications: Please provide copies of all written communications, including but not limited to emails, letters, memos, and reports, between the New Zealand Government and the Government of Israel related to the conflict in Gaza since 7 October 2023.
2. Transcriptions of Verbal Communications: Please provide transcripts or written records of all verbal communications, such as telephone conversations, video calls, or in-person meetings, between representatives of the New Zealand Government and the Government of Israel related to the aforementioned conflict. This includes any minutes or summaries of such communications.
3. Briefing Documents and Advisories: Please include any briefing documents, advisories, or summaries provided to New Zealand Government officials regarding the conflict in Gaza and interactions with the Government of Israel.
4. Meeting Records: Provide details of any meetings between New Zealand Government officials and Israeli officials, including dates, attendees, minutes, and summaries of discussions.
5. Policy or Strategic Documents: Include any documents related to New Zealand’s policy or strategic approach towards the Gaza conflict and interactions with Israel during this period.
Please provide all information in PDF file format for convenience. Ensure that the documents cover the entire period from 7 October 2023 to the present date. If any information is withheld or redacted, please include a detailed explanation for the withholding or redaction, specifying the grounds under the OIA on which the decision is based.
I understand that under the OIA, you are required to respond to this request within 20 working days of receipt. If you need any further information to process this request or if there are any charges for providing this information, please let me know at your earliest convenience.
Since I am submitting this request via FYI.org.nz, please respond through the FYI.org.nz platform to ensure I receive your reply in a timely manner.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Lance D. Lavery
From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora and thank you for your email.
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From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Tçnâ koe Lance D. Lavery,
Thank you for your OIA request of 13 August 2024 regarding New Zealand
engagement with Israel since October 2023.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have engaged
regularly with Israeli officials from Israel both here in New Zealand and
at our overseas posts since 7 October 2023. Consequently it would be very
difficult to compile all our interactions as this happens as part of our
business as usual operations, on top of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. We
also note that the way your request worded is not limited to the Ministry
and would capture information held by multiple government agencies and
Ministers.
Consequently, it is likely your request will be refused under section
18(f) of the OIA, as the information requested cannot be made available
without substantial collation and research.
In order to avoid a refusal, we ask that you narrow the scope of your
request. This could be done by selecting a particular topic relating to
the Israel-Hamas conflict, narrowing the timeframe (i.e. a particular week
advice was provided to Ministers), correspondence with a specific
individual, etc. In order to assist, the Ministry routinely publishes
information previously released under the OIA relating to the Israel-Hamas
Conflict on our website (see:
[1]www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/middle-east/israel-hamas-conflict),
as well as statements and general information for New Zealanders.
Please let us know if you are happy to refine your request by 19 August
2024. If we do not receive a reply from you by this date, the Ministry
will continue with the current wording of your request.
Please note, any clarification or amendment of a request is considered to
be a new request for the purpose of calculating the maximum statutory
timeframe for response (section 15(1AA) of the OIA refers).
Ngâ mihi,
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere
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From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Tēnā koe Lance,
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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Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence
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