Media releases
Chief Ombudsman releases report on government OIA practices
Dame Beverley Wakem | December 8, 2015
The Chief Ombudsman has released her report on central government agencies' compliance with their obligations under the Official Information Act when responding to requests for information. This is the most in-depth review of the Act's operation ever undertaken by the Office of the Ombudsman. You can view the full report here and the Office's media release here.
Chief Ombudsman seeks public experience of OIA
November 2, 2015
The Chief Ombudsman, Dame Beverley Wakem, has renewed her call for requesters to tell her about their experience of accessing official information from government agencies. The surveys, which can be accessed from our website, close at midnight on Thursday 5 November. Dame Beverley says "I strongly urge requesters to use this opportunity to provide me with their views, so I have the strongest possible evidence for my review." Read the full media release here.
Ombudsmen's Annual Report 2014/15 tabled in Parliament today
October 15, 2015
The Office of the Ombudsman's Annual Report for the year 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 was tabled in Parliament this afternoon, which recorded that it had received the second highest amount of work ever and was able to complete 92% of complaints and other work within six months. You can read the full report here and the Office's media statement here.
Chief Ombudsman launches major review of OIA practices
December 17, 2014
The Chief Ombudsman, Dame Beverley Wakem, has begun a wide ranging review of Official Information Act (OIA) practices in the public sector. Read the full media release here. The Project Summary can be read here. The Survey of Agencies can be read here. The Survey of Ministers can be read here.
Ombudsman meeting the challenge
October 15, 2014
The Ombudsman's annual report for 2013/14, published today, shows the Office is making significant progress in effectively managing its work to make sure people are treated fairly. Read the full media release here.
Disabled people deserve better health and education
August 7, 2014
In it's second report launched today, Independent Monitoring Mechanism of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says health outcomes for disabled New Zealaners seriously lag behind the rest of the population and is unacceptable. Read the joint media release here and the full report here.
Access to buildings is a human right, says monitoring group
August 7, 2014
In its second report, launched today, the Independent Monitoring Mechanism of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says proposed changes to building regulations are unnecessary and infringe disabled people's right to access buildings. You can read the joint media release here and the full report here.
New Ombudsman opinion
February 17, 2014
The Ombudsman has released his opinion that the public interest requires release of the majority of the statement given by John Banks to the Police. The statement relates to alleged irregularities in electoral funding donations for the 2010 Auckland Super City Mayoral election. Information from the statement will be released on the Ombudsman’s recommendation, but only after the relevant court proceedings have been concluded, to protect Mr Banks’ right to a fair trial. You can read Professor Paterson’s opinion here.
New Ombudsman opinion
February 12, 2014
The Ombudsman has released his opinion on a complaint about the investigation process followed by the New Zealand Teachers Council. Professor Paterson found that the process was characterised by unreasonable delays, lack of clarity and poor communication. You can read the full opinion here.
Information fault lines - accessing EQC information in Canterbury
December 19, 2013
The Chief Ombudsman has released her joint report with the Privacy Commissioner on EQC's compliance with its obligations under the Official Information Act and the Privacy Act when responding to requests for information from its Canterbury customers. You can view the full report here and the joint media release here.
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