18006 (2026). Vanushi Walters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Written Question

Published date: 14 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	18006 (2026)
Question asked:	30 Apr 2026
Member asking:	Vanushi Walters
Portfolio:	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister replying:	Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answer received:	10 May 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_18006_2026
Document guid:	45868864-f7c2-4c34-9da7-b254bd95e6ea

18006 (2026). Vanushi Walters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: In September 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to a New Zealand citizen in detention in the United States who had reportedly been held since August 2025 after being accused of assaulting a police officer in circumstances the individual disputes; can the Minister provide an update on this case and advise whether this New Zealand citizen remains in US detention?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: No. We cannot comment on individual consular cases for privacy reasons.