24 September 2025
Our Ref: C64569
By email: [FYI request #32150 email]
Tēnā koe, John Luke,
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
Thank you for your request made via email on 28 August 2025 in which you requested the
following:
Thank you for supplying the documents related to Fale Andrew Lesā’s CAC
application. I have reviewed the material and noted that a significant number of
words and sentences—particularly in the “Personal Attributes – What you think you
have that will add value to the CAC role” section—have been redacted.
Many of the redactions appear to obscure the names of organisations Mr. Lesā
claimed to have been affiliated with. In light of recent reporting and public disclosures
revealing that Mr. Lesā has made multiple false claims about his qualifications and
professional history, I would like to formally challenge the decision to withhold this
information.
As it is now a matter of public interest, and considering evidence suggesting Mr. Lesā
may have provided false or misleading information in his application, I encourage
your office to review the redactions. For example, the statement “my recent
graduation from...” is now highly questionable, given the Stuff investigation
indicating he misrepresented his academic background.
I believe that disclosing this information, with appropriate privacy considerations,
would serve the public interest and support transparency in public appointments.
If you ultimately decide not to release the redacted information, I would like to
formally request a copy of your internal policies and procedures regarding instances
where false or misleading information is discovered in an application for appointment.
Specifically, I am seeking to understand:
What processes are in place to investigate potential fraud in applications?
What accountability measures are taken if an appointee is found to have provided
false information?
How such matters are reviewed internally to ensure integrity in the appointment
process?
Information being released
We have considered your response in respect of the redactions made to some of the documents
previously provided and have further consulted with Mr Lesā about the release of further
information. Following that consultation, we have decided to release the following documents
with limited redactions:
1. Mr Lesā’s resume submitted to REA at the time he applied for a CAC position;
2. His expression of interest form; and
3. The MoJ check we completed prior to Mr Lesā’s appointment to the CAC Panel.
The remaining redactions are made pursuant to section 9(2)(a) of the OIA.
I note that our response to your previous OIA request on 5 September 2025 addressed your
other questions. Specifically:
1. Appointees to CAC’s are required to comply with REA’s internal policies, including the
Fraud and Corruption Policy. Fraud under that policy includes false misrepresentation.
Any confirmed fraud and corruption incidents by a CAC member would be investigated
by REA and appropriate action taken.
2. CAC members are appointed based on suitability, so we can remove someone who is
no longer suitable, that would include false representation in applications.
3. CAC Members are subject to REA’s Internal Complaints Policy. Issues about CAC
Members may be reviewed and investigated by REA’s Internal Complaints Officer.
Right of review
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Andrew Tringham
General Counsel
Real Estate Authority
