have decided to continue to withhold information in the fourth document, ?2015 Open
Government Partnership Steering Committee elections (July 2015)? and will engage with the
Ombudsman in respect of this aspect of your complaint.

As advised to you, this information has been withheld under section of the CIA as it
contains the free and frank expressions of the opinions of officials on foreign states. Though
there is likely to be public interest in these views, I believe it is outweighed by the effect that
disclosure of these views would have on the expression of such views in future, as well as the
relationships that New Zealand has with these states.

Yours sincerely

o.



l. .


a 
Hon Paula Bennett
Minster of State Services