OIA 124001 Luke.pdf

Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wel ington
T 04 918 8800 | F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz

18 August 2025

John Luke
[FYI request #31683 email]

Our ref: OIA 124001

Tēnā koe John

Official Information Act request: Appointment of Fale Andrew Lesā

Thank you for your email of 21 July 2025, requesting under the Official Information Act 1982,
information regarding the appointment of Fale Andrew Lesā as a Visiting Justice and Justice
of the Peace (JP). Specifically, you requested:

May I kindly request confirmation on whether Fale Andrew Lesā has resigned from
his roles as a Justice of the Peace and Visiting Justice? If so, what is the effective
date? Also, I would like to request to view his resignation letter and his appointment
letter. Feel free to redact any personal information.

I can advise that as of the date of this letter, Mr Lesā has not resigned from either of the two
roles you mention. A copy of Mr Lesā’s letter of appointment as Visiting Justice is attached
to this letter and released to with you some information withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the
Act, to protect the privacy of natural persons.

In withholding information under section 9 of the Act, the Ministry of Justice has considered
the public interest and does not consider that it outweighs the need to withhold the
information at this time.

A standard letter sent to JPs enclosing their warrant card once they have completed their
training and taken the oath of office is also attached and released to you in full.

Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry’s website at: Of icial Information Act responses | New Zealand Ministry of Justice.

If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman under section 28 of the Act. The Office of the Ombudsman may be contacted
by phone on: 0800 802 602, by email at: [email address], or via the
webform: Make a complaint (for members of the public) | Ombudsman New Zealand.

Nāku noa, nā

Edrick Child
Chief Legal Counsel

1982
ACT
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED