1 August 2005

Foreign Affairs files released in annual restricted file review

The document recording New Zealand's declaration of war on Germany at 9.30pm (NZ time) on 3rd September 1939 is one of nearly 1100 files released for public access today under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's ongoing review of restricted files.

The file release also includes other correspondence from senior New Zealand officials on New Zealand's external relations during World War Two.

The majority of files in this year's release date from the 1940s through to the 1970s and are located at Archives New Zealand.

Material being released this year covers a range of subjects, including:

* External relations with the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, United States, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China, Japan, India, Canada, Western Samoa, Thailand, Philippines, Poland, Kampuchea/Cambodia, North Korea, Egypt and North Vietnam (1940s - 1970s). * Overseas visits by New Zealand senior public servants, the Prime Minister, sporting teams and brass bands (1940s - 1970s) * Visits to New Zealand by officials from other governments (1960s - 1970s) * South African population files including racial segregation, apartheid and sport (1974-1976) * Publicity and publications files (1960s-1970s) * International Law of the Sea issues such as foreign vessels fishing in New Zealand waters (1974-1980) * European Economic Community (EEC) files including United Kingdom participation in the EEC (1960-1976)

Also included in the release files are records from the Ministry's posts in, Apia, Athens, Beijing, Bangkok, Bonn, Brussels, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Lima, London, New Delhi, Noumea, New York, Ottawa, Saigon, Seoul, Singapore, Vienna and Tokyo (files range in date between 1951 -1990).

As in previous years, files reviewed and cleared during the previous year are released on 1 August. The Ministry reviews and releases closed files as soon as practicable, subject to resources and international document release conventions.

ENDS

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