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Commission

Kia ora

Thank you for your enquiry. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can, we
aim to respond to enquiries within two working days.

Your request has been assigned a tracking number, 179488.

In the meantime, you may find the information you need on [3]our website.

If you have any more questions or comments, please reply to this email.

Ngā mihi nui,
Electoral Commission
Te Kaitiaki Take Kōwhiri

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Kia ora John

 

Please find attached the response to your Official Information request.

 

You have the right under section 28(3) of the Act to make a complaint to
the Ombudsman if you are not satisfied with the response to your request.
Information about how to do this is available at
[1]ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Electoral Commission | Te Kaitiaki Take Kōwhiri

PO Box 3220 | Level 10, 34 – 42 Manners Street | Wellington | 6140 | New
Zealand

Phone +64 4 495 0030 | [2]vote.nz | [3]elections.nz

 

From: Support <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 29 June 2026 8:12 am
To: OIA Enquiries <[email address]>
Subject: [OIA] Official Information request - candidacy of Lyra Yan Zhang

 

Here is a request from john luke
([4][FOI #34992 email]).

 

 

 

From: john luke <[5][FOI #34992 email]>

Date: Sun, Jun 28, 2026 at 7:10 pm

EXTERNAL EMAIL WARNING: Do not open any attachments or links until you are
certain they are safe. Beware of phishing attacks, check the sender
address. Always report emails you are not certain are safe.

Dear Electoral Commission,

I noted,
[6]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act
1982 in relation to the candidacy of Lyra Yan Zhang.

Specifically, I request access to the following information:

1. Copies of the nomination documents submitted by Lyra Yan Zhang for the
election. I note that she previously stood for election to the Porirua
City Council under the name "Yan Zhang", and I am seeking the nomination
documents submitted for her current candidacy.

2. Copies of any conflict of interest declarations or disclosures that she
has provided to the Electoral Commission as part of her candidacy.

3. Copies of any declaration relating to bankruptcy, if such a declaration
was required or provided as part of the nomination process.

4. Copies of any name change certificate or other supporting documentation
provided to verify a change of name.

I also understand that Ms Zhang is reportedly a member of the Chinese Zhi
Gong Party. In this regard, I would also like to request information on
the Electoral Commission's policies or guidance concerning candidates who
are members of a foreign political party. Specifically:

Does the Electoral Commission have any policy, rule, or legal requirement
that prevents or restricts a member of a foreign political party from
standing as a candidate in a New Zealand election?

If such policies or guidance exist, please provide copies of the relevant
documents.

Yours faithfully,

john luke

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This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[7][FOI #34992 email]

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ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
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Conversation ID: aaac34a4-732d-11f1-b7ab-e16b5814ffa8
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References

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