UNCLASSIFIED
New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay
26 September 2025
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
T +64 4 439 8000
F +64 4 472 9596
John Luke
OIA 30389
[FYI request #32178 email]
Tēnā koe John Luke
Thank you for your email of 30 August 2025 in which you request the following under
the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
“I am writing to seek clarification under the OIA regarding Andrew Lesā’s apparent
participation in a meeting with a high-ranking Malaysian government official, as
seen in a social media post circulating publicly.
In what capacity was Mr. Lesā representing New Zealand during this meeting?
Was his involvement officially approved or sanctioned by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (MFAT)?
What are the formal rules and protocols governing how New Zealand citizens—
particularly local board members—can represent the country in official
government-to-government engagements?
Was Mr. Lesā acting on behalf of the New Zealand Government, Auckland Council,
or in a personal capacity during this visit?
Was the trip undertaken in an official or private capacity?
The post appears to originate from a Special Officer to a Malaysian Minister, and
notably describes Mr. Lesā as a “Special Officer to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.”
If this claim is inaccurate, has there been a misrepresentation of his position to a
foreign government?”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) was not involved in the
arrangements for this meeting, nor did we have knowledge of the claims this person was
making. Please note that the Ministry does not set standards for engagement with
foreign governments, but all public servants are expected to comply with the Public
Service Commissions “Code of Conduct for public servants” which sets standards of
integrity and conduct. Accordingly, your request for information held by the Ministry is
refused under section 18(e) of the OIA, as the information requested does not exist.
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 2 of 2
We have transferred part of your request to Auckland Council. Part of the information to
which your request relates,
What are the formal rules and protocols governing how New
Zealand citizens—particularly local board members—can represent the country in official
government-to-government engagements?, and
Was Mr. Lesā acting on behalf of the
New Zealand Government, Auckland Council, or in a personal capacity during this visit?
is not held by the Ministry but is believed to be held by Auckland Council (section
14(b)(i) of the OIA refers). In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the
Official Information Act to transfer your request.
The Ministry extended the deadline to respond to your request by 15 working days to
accommodate this transfer (section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA refers).
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:
www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/contact-us/official-information-act-responses/
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
