ANTARCTIC COMMEMORATIONS: GNZ HOLIDAY CLOSURES AND

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000915 SIPDIS SIPDIS EAP/ANP AND OES/OA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV OTRA AY NZ SUBJECT: ANTARCTIC COMMEMORATIONS: GNZ HOLIDAY CLOSURES AND IMPACT ON PLANNING REF: WELLINGTON 736 ¶1. (U) New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has advised us by Diplomatic Note (para. 2) that MFAT will be closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays from December 23, 2006 to January 2, 2007. This is a good reminder that many NZ officials will soon be taking off for Christmas and (antipodean) summer holidays. As International Polar Year (IPY) and Antarctic 50th anniversary dates in January are approaching quickly, Embassy Wellington would emphasize the importance of providing final names and dates for the USG delegation to Antarctica and New Zealand, so that we can finalize arrangements for the group before GNZ leaves town. ¶2. (U) Begin Note: Note number: 2006/43 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington presents its compliments to the Diplomatic and Consular Missions accredited to New Zealand and has the honour to advise that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will close for the Christmas and New Year holidays from 23 December 2006 to 2 January 2007 inclusive. The Ministry will reopen on Wednesday 3 January 2007. The Ministry further advises that during the holiday period of 23 December 2006 to 2 January 2007 inclusive most government departments will also be closed. The Ministry advises that due to staff absences in the week prior to the holiday period, the last day for receipt of requests for airport facilitation, replacement/new diplomatic identification cards or diplomatic exemption labels would be Monday 18 December 2006. If a mission/post requires emergency assistance between 23 December 2006 and the evening of 2 January 2007, they may ring the Ministry's duty officer, telephone (021) 427-299. The Ministry would be grateful if this information could be drawn to the attention of all relevant Mission and Consular staff. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade takes this opportunity to renew to the Diplomatic and Consular Missions accredited to New Zealand the assurances of its highest consideration. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Wellington 17 November 2006 End note. McCormick