UPDATED 7.02pm: An ambiguous email is being blamed for the chain of events that saw a Malaysian embassy staffer able to leave New Zealand under diplomatic immunity after he was charged with indecent assault.

The Whitehead report on MFAT's handling of the Muhammad Rizalman case has been made public today.

Among its key findings is that an email sent by an MFAT protocol officer led to a misunderstanding on the part of Malaysian authorities that New Zealand would allow diplomatic immunity to be exercised.

There were a number of serious effects; firstly that the victim was left with the impression she wouldn't see justice, ministers were seriously embarrassed, and staff at MFAT and in the Minister's office had their reputations put publicly at risk.

LISTEN ABOVE: Green Party's Women's spokesperson Jan Logie speaks to Larry Williams

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said all the recommendations in the report have been put into place.

Mr McCully said it's a very serious matter, and disappointing the foreign ministry has found itself in this position.

"That someone who was responsible for a serious criminal offence could've escaped the New Zealand courts - had it not been for the actions of the Malaysian government - that is something we deeply regret."

However the findings also say MFAT records over the past 20 years make it clear that this case is an isolated one.

The report has also found the Secretary of Foreign Affairs was not made aware of the case at the time and should have been informed earlier than he was.

It also said the Government minister's public comments were made on the basis of partial information.

Green MP Jan Logie has accused the government of failures of leadership, saying ministers were told about the attack well before Rizalman was allowed to leave the country.

"They did not take sexual violence seriously enough to follow up and make sure that MFAT brought this case in front of the courts."