Pursuant to section 11 of the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1968 ("the Act"), the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade declares that:
1. Representatives of the Pacific Islands Forum member and observer countries, including New Zealand, will
be attending the Pacific Islands Forum to be held in Auckland from 12 August 2003 to 19 August 2003; and
2. In order to clarify the privileges and immunities which may be enjoyed by those representatives and their official administrative and support staff attending the said meeting;
directs that:
(a) every representative (including official delegates)
of the Pacific Islands Forum member and observer countries (other than of New Zealand) shall be accorded the privileges and immunities conferred
by or by virtue of Part I of the Act on a diplomatic agent as specified in Articles 29 to 37 (1) inclusive of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, set out in the First Schedule to the Act; and
(b) the members of the official administrative and support staff of any such representative shall be accorded the following privileges and immunities:
(i) Immunity from suit and legal process in respect of things done or omitted to be done by them
in the course of the performance of their official duties;
(ii) exemption from income tax in respect of emoluments received for services in respect
of their official duties; and
(iii) exemption from duties and taxes on the importation of goods for official use in
New Zealand, that exemption to be subject to compliance with such conditions as the Minister of Customs may determine for the protection
of the revenue.
Dated at Wellington this 4th day of August 2003.
PHIL GOFF, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.