Ministry Statements & Speeches:
The Europe files include information on Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland. New Zealand marks anniversaries with these countries in the 2023/4 period.
There are many files of interest to researchers, and those interested in New Zealand’s foreign policy history including:
- The Second World War
- The breakup of the Soviet Union
- Correspondence concerning the repatriation of Polish orphans at the end of the Second World War.
There are additional files which cover more day-to-day work, including tax matters and estate settlements.
Included in this list are other historical files reviewed and declassified by MFAT in response to requests from members of the public and released in 2023 and 2024. They cover a diverse range of countries, topics and periods including:
- A number of different pre and post Second World War era files, including in relation to refugees (1920s-1970s)
- The International Whaling Commission (1970s-1980s)
- Economic and Technical Assistance to Singapore and in the Pacific (1950s-1970s)
The full list of files can be seen below.
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 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. Researchers can also request files in person in the public reading room of Archives House.
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.