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Release of hundreds of previously classified MFAT files to the public

We're releasing over 700 previously classified Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) files held by our Wellington office, in a joint process between the two organisations.

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20 June 2024

Making the files available to the public is part of MFAT’s regular declassification programme, which sees records 25 years and older reviewed and declassified, subject to a vetting process to ensure New Zealand’s interests are protected.

The files released date from 1913 to the 1990s and relate primarily to Europe, in addition to a variety of files opened following research requests from the public. The files were created by the Ministry’s head office in Wellington, as well as by New Zealand overseas posts in New Delhi, Vienna, New York, Berlin, London, Brussels, and Paris. Some files from earlier MFAT agencies, such as the Island Territories Department and the Ministry of External Affairs, are also included.

The Europe files include information on Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland. New Zealand marks anniversaries with these countries in the 2023-2024 period. Topics covered include:

  • the Second World War

  • the breakup of the Soviet Union, and

  • correspondence regarding the repatriation of Polish orphans at the end of the Second World War.

Other historical files in the release were reviewed and declassified by MFAT in response to requests from members of the public. They cover a diverse range of countries, topics, and periods, including:

  • the International Whaling Commission (1970s-1980s)

  • economic and technical assistance to Singapore and in the Pacific (1950s-1970s), and

  • a variety of pre and post Second World War era files, including some pertaining to refugees (1920s-1970s).

Find out more about these records

  • View the official MFAT media statement, and a list of the files released on their website. The list includes the full Archives New Zealand reference for each file.

  • Request the files for viewing in our Wellington Reading Room. Use the release list on the MFAT website to identify files of interest, and their Archives references. You can request the files using the pre-order form and view them at 10 Mulgrave Street, Wellington.

Pre-order form

  • If you have any queries about requesting or viewing the files, please contact our Research Services team using the ' Ask an archivist' form or call them on +64 4 499 5595.