New FBI office in NZ opened to 'justify a sightseeing trip', US lawmakers claim

The FBI’s new base in Wellington may have only been opened as an excuse for a sightseeing trip by the bureau’s director Kash Patel, US Democrats have claimed. 

Patel is facing a congressional investigation into allegations he misused taxpayer funds on luxury travel and other personal expenses. 

The controversial Trump-nominated director visited New Zealand in July last year to open a dedicated FBI office in the capital. 

While the FBI already had personnel based in Wellington, they previously reported through the bureau’s Canberra office. The new legal attaché office made New Zealand a standalone FBI post, reporting directly to Washington. 

Now, a letter from senior Democratic lawmakers to Patel, claims that Congress has information suggesting the new Wellington office “may have been opened in part to justify a sightseeing trip you took there”. 

“Your jet-setting and the lack of justification for these trips are ‘out of control’,” the letter from Congressman Jamie Raskin and Senator Dick Durbin states. 

The allegations follow a series of US media reports scrutinising Patel’s travel. 

The Associated Press reported he received a “VIP snorkel” tour at Pearl Harbor while on official travel to Hawaii. 

The New York Times separately reported he used an FBI Gulfstream jet to take his girlfriend to a country music concert. 

Another investigation from the Times quoted an anonymous FBI senior executive as saying Patel “doesn’t like meetings in office settings” and instead requests engagements like soccer games, jet skiing excursions, and helicopter tours when overseas. 

In response to questions about the letter, the FBI told US political news outlet The Hill that many of the claims were false and defended the opening of the New Zealand office. 

“The opening of the FBI’s legal attaché office in Wellington, New Zealand was an official event and the first new legal attaché office opening in a decade. New Zealand was our only Five Eyes partner where the FBI had no LEGAT office – Director Patel is the only person to address this partnership blunder from prior leadership.” 

Documents released to the Herald under the Official Information Act show when Patel visited New Zealand between July 30 to August 1, his schedule on two days included what was described as a “cultural activity”, in between engagements with New Zealand officials. 

He was hosted for a dinner at an undisclosed location by Judith Collins, then Minister Responsible for the spy agencies. 

A briefing note released by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service shows Patel was granted official Guest of Government Status, a request that must be approved by the Prime Minister. 

FBI director Kash Patel (centre right) speaks alongside ministers Mark Mitchell (left) and Judith Collins (centre left) after announcing a new office. Photo / US Embassy. 31/7/25 

Collins signed off on a $10,000 budget, of which $9,292 was spent, with expenses filed for venue hire, Government hospitality, catering, and flowers. 

Patel is the most senior US official to visit New Zealand under the second Trump presidency, officials noted at the time. 

When the office was opened last year the US Embassy said it would work with local police to address shared priority areas through joint investigations, information sharing and capacity-building. 

Speaking to media at Parliament after the opening, Collins said an increased FBI presence would enhance the “safety and security of New Zealanders”. 

Patel’s visit was supposed to remain secret, but was sprung after Newstalk ZB noticed his plane at the airport and the Herald spotted him walking through the Beehive basement. 

Following his departure, the trip made headlines after it was revealed Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Patel went for a run together on the Wellington waterfront, followed by a “brief dip” during an active tsunami advisory, which Chambers later apologised for. 

It also emerged Patel gifted 3D-printed guns to New Zealand’s Police and intelligence chiefs, which had to be destroyed to comply with firearms laws. 

Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.