New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
17 August 2023
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Beryl Beauchamp
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #23590 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28747
Tēnā koe Beryl Beauchamp
I refer to your email of 25 July 2023 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
1. I request all documents (including reports, emails, file notes, aides memoire, instant
messages) held by MFAT relating to Andrew Fale Lesa.
2. In addition, I make two further direct request: has MFAT either by way of receiving a
complaint or from its own initiative investigated Mr Lesa's claim to be a New Zealand
diplomat? If so what, if any, action has been taken in response to any concerns?
3. Secondly, what processes does MFAT have in place to prevent an individual from
falsely claiming to represent New Zealand?
Mr Lesa claims on a variety of websites and news outlets to be a New Zealand
diplomat:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/covid-19-delta-outbreak-kiwi-diplomat-pleads-
for-miq-space-to-attend-world-democracy-forum/YMPXUL5F7S5PW5DCFUWTORZXE4/
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2016-09/22/content_39350759.htm
Your requests are numbered for ease of reference.
Regarding the first part of your request for documents relating to Andrew Fale Lesa, all
information in scope is withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the OIA, to protect individuals’
privacy.
Regarding the second part of your request, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the
Ministry) has not investigated any complaints concerning allegations that Mr Lesa has claimed
to be a New Zealand diplomat.
Regarding the third part of your request. The Ministry considers the circumstances relating to
any false claims on a case-by-case basis, providing support to other relevant agency’s
investigations such as New Zealand Police, and considering other relevant factors such as
damage to the Ministry’s reputation or the reputation of New Zealand.
Where the information has been withheld under section 9 of the OIA, we have identified no
public interest in releasing the information that would override the reasons for withholding it.
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
Please note that it is our policy to proactively release our responses to official information
requests where possible. Therefore, our response to your request (with your personal information
removed) may be published on the Ministry website:
Official Information Act responses | New
Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (mfat.govt.nz)
If you have any questions about this decision, you can contact us by email at:
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision by contacting
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Sarah Corbett
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade