Declassified MFAT files released to the public

144 previously classified Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) files held by our Wellington office have been released, in a joint initiative between the two departments. Making the files available to the public is part of MFAT’s ongoing programme of reviewing and releasing classified material. This is the first release under the updated declassification programme, with subsequent regular releases to follow from next year.

The release includes files created by the Ministry’s head office, as well as New Zealand embassies and consulates overseas. The records date from 1919 to the 1980s, and cover a wide variety of topics. You can find more information on the Archives New Zealand website

Dunedin building maintenance

Our Dunedin archive is having some building and plant work done which will cause some noise and disruption until mid-November. The reading room is still open during this time, but there will be days when we can’t guarantee that we can access the records you may want to see. From 23 September to 4 October we will be relocating all of our map and plan cabinets and there will be no access to these.