18 August 2025
David Farrar
[FYI request #31674 email]
Kia ora David
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-041692
Thank you for your request of 21 July 2025, asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
I am requesting all documents and information you hold pertaining to the appointment of Fale
Andrew Lesā to the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee
Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council
MSAC is a ministerially appointed group that provides independent assurance to the Minister for ACC
on the administration of the Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL). MSAC helps guide how MSL funds are
invested and ensures that levy funds are directed toward evidenced-based initiatives that improve
motorcycle safety outcomes.
Appointments to MSAC follow ACC’s standard recruitment processes, which are aligned with the
MSAC Terms of Reference (Document 8), ACC Committee and Groups – Code of Practice (Document 9)
and the Public Service Commission’s
Guide: Board Appointment and Induction Guidelines, available
online, here: https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/guidance/guide-board-appointment-and-induction-
guidelines.
Our response
Please find attached to this letter the documentation pertaining to the appointment of Fale Andrew
Lesā to MSAC:
1. Candidate Interview Findings
2. ACC Briefing Paper, Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council appointments
3. Interview Booklet for the position of MSAC member
4. Letter of 12 October 2021, from Mr Lesā to Hon Willie Jackson
5. Letter of 11 October 2021 – from ACC’s Manager, Targeted Investment to Mr Lesā
6. Position Description – Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council Chair and Council Member
7. MSAC Expected Standards of Behaviour Policy
Withheld information
Some names have been withheld to protect the privacy of individuals. Similarly, we are withholding all
information ACC holds pertaining to reference checks and Ministry of Justice checks completed prior
to Mr Lesā’s appointment, and their CV, to protect their privacy. This decision has been made under
section 9(2)(a) of the Act.
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Some information has been withheld from document two to maintain the effective conduct of public
affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions. This decision has been made under section
9(2)(g)(i).
Where information has been withheld under section 9, we considered the public interest in making it
available and determined that it did not outweigh the interests being protected.
Resignation
Mr Lesā resigned on Thursday 24 July 2025, effective immediately. Documentation in regards to their
resignation, will be made publicly available on the FYI website via the following link:
https://fyi.org.nz/request/31789-fale-andrew-lesa-stuff-investigation-reveals-flawed-cv.
If you have any questions about this response, please get in touch
You can email me at [email address].
If you are not happy with this response, you can also contact the Ombudsman via
[email address] or by phoning 0800 802 602. Information about how to make a
complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Ngā mihi
Christopher Johnston
Manager Official Information Act Services Government Engagement
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