Australia briefing

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Manatū Aorere 3 March 2021 Nicholas Jones Nicholas.jones@nzme.co.nz 195 Lambton Quay Private Bag 18−901 Wellington 6160 New Zealand T +64 4 439 8000 F +64 4 472 9596 OIA 27284 e enquiries@mfat.govt.nz w www.mfat.govt.nz Tēnā koe Nicholas Jones I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 15 February 2021 to The Ministry of Health. Your request was partially transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) on 19 February 2021, and seeks the following under the OIA: “Australia and New Zealand: Working Together in a COVID-19 World” Attached is the document relevant to your request. Some portions of the document are withheld 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;  6(b): to protect the passing of information from another government on a confidential basis; and  9(2)(a): to protect individuals’ privacy. Where the information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, we have identified no public interest in releasing the information that would be sufficient to override the reasons for withholding it. Please note that we may publish this letter (with your personal details redacted) and enclosed document on the Ministry’s website. You have the right under section 28(3) of the OIA to seek a review of this response by the Ombudsman. Nāku noa, nā Owen Thornber for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Released under the Official Information Act Released under the Official Information Act Released under the Official Information Act Released under the Official Information Act Released under the Official Information Act Released under the Official Information Act Released under the Official Information Act Released under the Official Information Act Released under the Official Information Act