Ministry Statements & Speeches:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has released over 430 previously classified historical files [XLSX, 56 KB]. They span six decades, from the 1930s to 1990s, and cover a range of geographic areas and topics.
Over 400 of these historical files relate to the Pacific, particularly the South Pacific Forum and South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation (SPEC), which have evolved into the Pacific Islands Forum. The files cover a wide range of subject matter, including:
- economic and development issues
- transportation
- communications
- fisheries, environment
- cultural issues, and more.
Other historical files included in this release were reviewed and declassified by MFAT in response to requests from members of the public received in the first quarter of 2022. They include diverse countries and topics:
- China (1970s)
- Adoption scheme (1960s)
- Viet Nam (1960s-1970s)
- Sporting tours (1960s)
- Teacher training in the Pacific (1940s-1960s)
- Chile (1970s-1980s)
This file release is part of MFAT’s regular declassification programme, which sees records 25 years and older reviewed and declassified, subject to a process to ensure New Zealand’s interests are protected.
The original files will be available to access at Archives New Zealand, Wellington. Use the release list [XLSX, 56 KB] to identify files of interest, and their Archives references. The files can then be requested using the pre-order form(external link) available on the Archives New Zealand website, and viewed at Archives House, 10 Mulgrave Street, Wellington.
If you have any queries about requesting or viewing the files, please contact the Archives Research Services team using the 'Ask an archivist' form(external link) on the Archives New Zealand website, or telephone them at Archives New Zealand Wellington on +64 4 499 5595.