3rd December 2024
John Wilson
[FYI request #29268 email]
Ref: OIA-2024/25-0470
Tēnā koe John Wilson
Official Information Act request relating to the Designation of Hezbollah and Ansar
Allah (aka The Houthis) as Terrorist Entities
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act (the Act), received by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) on 20 November 2024. You requested:
“Under the Official Information Act 1982, I am requesting the following:
1. All briefing documents related to the decision to designate Hezbollah in its
entirety and Ansar Allah (also known as The Houthis) as terrorist entities.
Please also include related correspondence and documents, such as
communications with the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister, National
Security Board papers, and any communications or engagement plans.
Additionally, I request the following:
2. Any communications with foreign governments or non-governmental
organisations regarding the designation of Hezbollah and the Houthis as terrorist
organisations.
3. Information on when the process to designate Hezbollah and the Houthis as
terrorist organisations was initiated, including details of the individuals, agencies,
or departments responsible for starting the process.
4. Documentation or records detailing the initiation of this process, including internal
communications, memos, or any other relevant materials.
5. Any documents or analysis that considered the acts of terror committed by the
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) or Mossad against the Lebanese and Palestinian
people concerning Hezbollah's actions, particularly in the context of the decision
to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist entity.
Please note that I do not seek information already in the public domain, specifically the
Statement of Case to Designate (Hezbollah/Houthis) As A Terrorist Entity.”
I believe some parts of your request are more closely connected to the functions of other
agencies also involved with the process of the designation of terrorist entities. Accordingly, I
have decided to transfer your request in part under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act as follows:
• Part 1 of your request as it relates to information from Crown Law (CLO), including a
letter from the Attorney-General in response to a consultation letter from the Prime
Minister, has been transferred to CLO.
• Part 2 of your request as it relates to any relevant communications with foreign
governments and any communications with foreign non-governmental organisations
held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), has been transferred to
MFAT.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4968781
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz
• Parts 3 and 4 of your request about the initiation of the process for the designation of
terrorist organisations has been transferred to NZ Police.
The remainder of your request will remain with DPMC and we will respond to you shortly.
CLO, MFAT and NZ Police have the usual timeframes under the Act from receipt of this transfer
to make a decision on your request.
Nāku noa, nā
Amy Teague
Manager, Ministerial Services
4968781
2
