Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced that Fale Andrew Lesa has been removed from office as a Justice of the Peace and a Visiting Justice.
“Complaints from members of the public, and media reports, suggested that Mr Lesa had misrepresented numerous aspects of his qualifications and experience,” McKee said.
“I was concerned and asked my officials to look into the matter and report to me.
“I have heard from Mr Lesa directly. However, he has not been able to satisfactorily explain himself fully to me.
“Integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes for Justices of the Peace and Visiting Justices, given the nature of the functions that they perform.
“It is clear to me that Mr Lesa’s behaviour shows a long-standing pattern, on many occasions and over many years, of being willing to mislead, or exaggerate, over numerous important matters of fact about himself. That behaviour is inconsistent with the attributes necessary for a person who is a Justice of the Peace and a Visiting Justice.
“Accordingly, I reached the view that he should be removed from office as a Justice of the Peace and Visiting Justice, and I made that recommendation to the Governor-General.
“Mr Lesa has, as a result, been removed from office.”
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee confirmed on 17 October 2025 that Fale Andrew Lesā has been removed from his roles as a Justice of the Peace and a Visiting Justice due to misrepresentations in his credentials
Nicole McKee, Associate Justice Minister, announced the removal following public complaints and media investigations.
Lesā was found to have misrepresented his qualifications, including claims of being a UN diplomat, a Director at ACC, and holding a Juris Doctor from Yale—none of which were substantiated.
McKee stated “Integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes for Justices of the Peace and Visiting Justices, given the nature of the functions that they perform.”
Timeline Highlights- June 2025: Lesā was appointed as a Visiting Justice, with powers to inspect prisons and conduct hearings.
July–October 2025: Investigative reporting by Stuff revealed flaws in his CV and questioned his public claims.
October 2025: McKee formally removed him from office after Lesā failed to satisfactorily explain the discrepancies.
According to AI:
“In New Zealand, the Governor-General appoints Justices of the Peace by Warrant, but this is done after a multi-step process that includes training and approval from the Ministry of Justice and the Associate Minister of Justice. The process is a formal one, requiring training, interviews, and background checks before the official appointment”.
From Justice. Govt website:
A newly appointed JP cannot exercise their jurisdiction until a District Court judge has sworn them into office. Prior to their swearing in, JPs are required to undertake an introduction training course provided by their local Justices of the Peace Association.
All JPs are expected to carry out the duties above under the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957, Criminal Procedure Act 2011 or by any other enactment under s4(b) Justices of the Peace Act 1957.
Members of Parliament nominate people to be JPs. It is the responsibility of each electorate Member of Parliament to ensure that their electorate is adequately serviced by JPs. Nominations for a person to be appointed as a JP are accepted only from Members of Parliament. List Members may submit nominations in their own name but they will need to have the prior endorsement of the appropriate electorate Member.
https://www.justice.govt.nz/about/lawyers-and-service-providers/service-providers/justice-of-the-peace/
Thank you