UNCLASSIFIED
New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
55 Molesworth Street
17 June 2026
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
T +64 4 439 8000
F +64 4 472 9596
George Bryant
OIA 30926
[FYI request #34632 email]
Tēnā koe George Bryant
Thank you for your email of 7 May 2026, in which you request the following under the
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
any communications with relation to Everlee Wihongi's incarceration with United
States Immigration and Customs Enforcement made between the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United States of America.
On 5 June 2026, the timeframes for responding to your request were extended by an
additional 20 working days because responding to your request necessitated the review
of a large quantity of information, and due to the consultations necessary to make a
decision on your request (section 15A(1)(a) and (b) of the OIA refers).
Response to your request
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (the Ministry) communications with the US
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in relation to Everlee Wihongi’s case are
withheld in full under section 9(2)(a) of the OIA given they contain personal information.
In considering this response, no public interest in releasing the information has been
identified that would override the reason for withholding it.
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’s website:
www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/contact-us/official-information-act-responses/
UNCLASSIFIED
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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
