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Before you continue
We understand that contacting the agency about the problem isn't always easy.
We usually ask people to give the agency a chance to resolve the problem first. Most agencies have a complaints process, and raising it with them directly, or writing to their Chief Executive, can sometimes be faster.
You are welcome to continue with this form. If we need you to contact the organisation first, we'll let you know.
We can investigate complaints about government agencies and local authorities, but there are some decisions made by certain agencies that we can't investigate.
We cannot investigate decisions made by a full council. This includes decisions such as the setting of rates.
We can investigate complaints about councils that are not full council decisions.
We can consider complaints about care or custody providers contracted by Oranga Tamariki.
If you are a child or a young person, you may find our website Nau-mai.nz opens page in this tab helpful. You can find out more about our role, and submit a complaint there.
We can only consider complaints about public sector organisations
There may be another organisation that can help you with your complaint.
We cannot investigate Ministry of Social Development's decisions about benefits or entitlements.
This includes decisions about:
You have the right to ask the Benefit Review Committee to review these decisions. If you are unhappy with the outcome, you have a further right to appeal to the Social Security Appeal Authority.
Making a complaint – Work and Income opens page in this tab
If you need assistance with your review or appeal rights, you may wish to speak to a lawyer or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau. You can get free legal advice at your local Community Law Centre
We cannot investigate ACC decisions related to claims or levy invoices.
You can seek an independent review of that decision through ACC.
Request an independent review – ACC opens page in this tab
If you are unhappy with the outcome of the review, you can appeal to the District Court.
If you need help with the ACC review process, you may wish to contact Way Finders opens page in this tab. This is a free and independent navigation service.
We cannot investigate Inland Revenue's decisions about child support assessments or tax calculations.
You can request a review of these decisions through Inland Revenue. If you are unhappy with the outcome of a formal reassessment, you can appeal to the District Court.
If you are unhappy with a decision by Inland Revenue, you first need to lodge a formal objection with them. If you're still unhappy with the outcome of a review and wish to pursue the matter in court, you will need to seek legal advice.
Child Support Reviews – Inland Revenue opens page in this tab
Tax Disputes – Inland Revenue opens page in this tab
We cannot investigate Immigration New Zealand's decisions on applications for residence visas.
You can appeal the decision within 42 days to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal. This applies whether or not the right of appeal has been exercised and whether or not any time limit for seeking an appeal has expired, unless special circumstances apply.
Immigration & Protection Tribunal – Ministry of Justice opens page in this tab
We cannot investigate Kāinga Ora's decisions made in its capacity as a landlord.
You can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to review their decisions.
Contact Kāinga Ora opens page in this tab
Continue to tell us about your complaint.
Someone else may be able to help
We cannot investigate complaints about private companies or individuals such as:
Please see our page on other services that may be able to assist.
Others who can help
We cannot investigate complaints about courts, tribunals, lawyers or judges.
New Zealand Law Society opens page in this tab help with complaints about lawyers and legal professionals
Courts of New Zealand opens page in this tab provide information about court processes and appeals
Seek independent legal advice about your options
We cannot investigate employment disputes.
Employment New Zealand opens page in this tab — for guidance on resolving workplace disputes
Employment Relations Authority (ERA) opens page in this tab — for formal employment relationship disputes
Mediation Services opens page in this tab — for early resolution of employment issues
We cannot investigate complaints about this type of education provider
You will need to contact them directly
We cannot investigate complaints about Police conduct
Complaints about Police conduct or behaviour are handled by the Independent Police Conduct Authority opens page in this tab (IPCA).
We can investigate official information (OIA) requests made to the Police.
Official information complaints
We cannot investigate complaints about Minister conduct or behaviour
We can investigate official information (OIA) requests involving Government Ministers.
Written authorisation may be required
To make a complaint on someone else's behalf you may need their written permission. If you are not their lawyer or licensed representative, you will need signed authorisation.
You can upload this now, or provide it later.
Download the written authorisation template
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