GOV-041869
From:
Andrew Lesa
To:
[Out of 
Subject:
Re: MSAC recruitment panel update
Scope]
Date:
Thursday, 24 July 2025 1:34:35 pm
Attachments:
image001.png
Statement Lesa.pdf
Kia Ora [Out of 
Scope]
I wish to resign, effective immediately. Thank you for the privilege to serve.
My best wishes, 
Andrew. 

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GOV-041869
 
“Public service the highlight of my life.” 
Fale Andrew Lesa responds. 
 
 
I grew up in politics. I went to youth parliament in high school, helped start a youth council, 
and was on school boards at the age of nineteen.  
 
A year later, I applied and was funded to attend a peace-building workshop in Rwanda with 
the Commonwealth. I met President Kagame, the former commander who led his country 
back from genocide. It was my first time abroad and I was hooked. I started collecting 
international conferences like marbles, attending major UN youth events over the next 15 
years. I was fast becoming an international youth expert. Curious, people would ask, what 
do you do for a living? I would tell them I was a diplomat because I believed it was the most 
accurate description for what I did. In hindsight, it was misleading and I should have been 
more upfront.  
 
In 2022, I was invited by a friend to speak at his university in Texas. He was the student 
president and I was in Texas to speak at EarthX. At the university speech, I embellished my 
study at Yale University. I took the initiative during the global pandemic to study online for 
free via the Yale website. I take full responsibility. I wanted to show off. It was dumb. 
 
Public service has been the highlight of my life but it's time to close the door on this chapter 
of my story. Protecting the credibility of the organisations I serve is my number 1 priority. I 
am sorry for letting the team down. The outpouring of love and support from my community 
has been truly phenomenal.   
 
 
..  
 
 

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