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Three people are sitting at a high table with a laptop having a discussion.

About the Ombudsman

Mō te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata

The Ombudsman helps New Zealanders deal with public sector agencies. They handle complaints, undertake investigations and inspections, and encourage good administration.

The Ombudsman is independent and impartial, with a focus on fairness for all.

In this section

  • Three young people walking outside Parliament

    What the Ombudsman does

    The Ombudsman handles complaints about the administrative conduct of public sector agencies, and carries out a range of roles that contribute to protecting your rights.
  • An image of Sir Robert Martin

    Stories

    The Ombudsman works with thousands of people every year to investigate complaints and drive wider systemic change. Here are some of their stories.
  • Woman and older man looking at a tablet together on some stone steps.

    Results and remedies

    In the year ended 30 June 2019 the Ombudsman received and completed over 11,000 complaints and other contacts, and closed a significant backlog of complaints.
  • Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier speaking at an event at Parliament.

    Who is the Ombudsman?

    Peter Boshier is Chief Ombudsman for New Zealand. The Ombudsman has a unique role within New Zealand. 
  • Man sitting on park bench reading newspaper

    Who can the Ombudsman investigate?

    The Ombudsman has authority to investigate approximately 4,000 public sector agencies in New Zealand.
  • Sir Guy Powles on the dais at his swearing-in ceremony at Parliament 1962

    Past, present and future

    The history of the Ombudsman.
  • Two women and a man talking at a table as they work at a laptop.

    Structure

    Structure and teams.
  • Older man sitting at his desk in an office.

    Careers and Vacancies

    See vacancies available across all three offices.
  • Members of Pūhara Mana Tangata standing together in Matangieia, Parliament

    Pūhara Mana Tangata

    The panel advises the Chief Ombudsman in his work with Māori.
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  • What the Ombudsman can help with
    • Complaints about government agencies
    • Requests for official information
    • Serious wrongdoing at work (whistleblowing)
    • Monitoring places of detention
    • Aged care monitoring
    • Fair treatment for disabled people
    • Monitoring COVID-19 managed isolation and quarantine facilities
    • Wider improvement
    • Children in care
  • Others who can help
    • Complaints A-Z
  • Agency assistance
    • OIA calculator
    • Resources for agencies
    • Advice and training
    • Consulting the Ombudsman
  • About the Ombudsman
    • What the Ombudsman does
    • Stories
    • Results and remedies
    • Who is the Ombudsman?
    • Who can the Ombudsman investigate?
    • Past, present and future
    • Structure
    • Careers and vacancies
    • Pūhara Mana Tangata
  • News
  • Resources and publications

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