Cabinet Decision CAB-19-SUB-0197: Proposed Overseas Travel: Prime Minister (May 2019)

This Cabinet paper and related Cabinet minute have been proactively released by
the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, on behalf of Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern,
Prime Minister.

Extract from Cabinet Minute CAB-19-MIN-0197 Proposed Overseas Travel: Prime Minister

On 6 May 2019, Cabinet:

1 authorised the absence of the Prime Minister from New Zealand from the evening of Sunday 12 May until the morning of Saturday 18 May 2019 to undertake official travel to:

1.1 Paris, France to co-host the “Christchurch Call to Eliminate Violent Extremism Online” event, host meetings with technology industry leaders and civil society representatives, and hold bilateral meetings;

1.2 Singapore to launch the bilateral Singapore-New Zealand Enhanced Partnership, and hold bilateral meetings;

2 agreed that she be accompanied by two members of staff;

3 agreed that she be accompanied by Hon Damien O’Connor and Hon Kris Faafoi for periods of the travel;

4 noted that the costs for Hon Damien O’Connor and his staff member’s travel are included in paragraph 6 below;

5 noted that Hon Kris Faafoi will already be in Europe at this time, as agreed by Cabinet on 8 April 2019 [CAB-19-MIN-0152];

6 approved the estimated expenditure of [withheld under 9(2)(f)(iv)] for the Prime Ministerial party as a charge to Vote Internal Affairs (Members of the Executive – Travel);

7 approved additional expenditure of up to [withheld under 9(2)(f)(iv)] (in addition to the [withheld under 9(2)(f)(iv)] already approved) for Hon Kris Faafoi’s extra costs to accompany the Prime Minister in Paris, as a charge to Vote Internal Affairs (Members of the Executive – Travel);

8 noted that she will be accompanied by officials from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and Diplomatic Protection Service officers whose travel costs will be a charge to their respective votes;

9 noted that the costs for the New Zealand technology sector representatives’ travel will be met by MFAT;

10 noted that the host governments will assist with some facilitation, ground transport and, possibly, accommodation costs;

11 agreed that in her absence:

11.1 Rt Hon Winston Peters act as Prime Minister and Minister for National Security and Intelligence on 12, 13, 17, and 18 May 2019;

11.2 Hon Kelvin Davis act as:

11.2.1 Prime Minister from 14 to 16 May 2019;

11.2.2 Minister for National Security and Intelligence on 14 and 15 May 2019;

11.3 Hon Andrew Little act as Minister for National Security and Intelligence on 16 May 2019;

11.4 Hon Grant Robertson act as Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage;

11.5 Hon Tracey Martin act as Minister for Child Poverty Reduction;

12 agreed that in Hon Damien O’Connor’s absence, Hon Stuart Nash act as Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity, Minister for Food Safety, and Minister for Rural Communities from 16 to 18 May 2019.