New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
23 October 2024
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Do Kyun Kim
T +64 4 439 8000
[email address]
F +64 4 472 9596
[FYI request #28301 email]
OIA 29663
Tēnā koe Do Kyun Kim
Thank you for your email of 4 September 2024 in which you request the following under the
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
‘1.
I would like to obtain all of the text messages sent to Director General Seo Min-
Jung of South Korea from Ambassador Dawn Bennet regarding the Ferry Cancellation as
reported in a recent Radio New Zealand article
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526974/korea-ferry-cancellation-talks-were-two-
texts-sent-within-an-hour-of-announcement
The article mentioned two text messages specifically however, my request is beyond the
two text messages and any messages sent and received between the two parties would be
greatly appreciated.
2.
I made a request earlier about text messages to DG Seo, this request is a separate
one asking for Official Communications sent to Ambassador Bennet leading up to the Ferry
Cancellation.
I want the exact copy of the comms please whether it was an email, or texts, or fax etc.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526974/korea-ferry-cancellation-talks-were-two-
texts-sent-within-an-hour-of-announcement’
On 2 October 2024, the timeframes for responding to your request were extended by an
additional 20 working days due to the consultations necessary to make a decision on your request
(section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA refers).
The information relevant to your request is 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;
•
9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy;
•
9(2)(g)(i): to protect the free and frank expression of opinions by departments; and,
•
9(2)9g)(ii): to protect officials from improper pressure or harassment.
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.
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 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 Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
