18962 (2026). Vanushi Walters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Written Question

Published date: 25 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	18962 (2026)
Question asked:	11 May 2026
Member asking:	Vanushi Walters
Portfolio:	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister replying:	Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answer received:	19 May 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_18962_2026
Document guid:	70a0ef66-fa60-42df-88ba-f51f99196d5c

18962 (2026). Vanushi Walters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Has the Minister personally spoken with or attempted to contact Everlee Wihongi's family, her legal representatives, or US counterparts regarding her case, and if not, why not?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Ms Wihongi has been detained due to an immigration related matter in her country of long-term residence, and although we are doing everything we can to support her through the situation she is in, no country can interfere with another country's immigration decisions. From time to time in very rare circumstances a Foreign Minister may arise a consular matter with their counterpart, for example on death penalty or hostage cases which require high level representations. Further details regarding consular support, refer to WPQ 18968 (2026).