The Chief Ombudsman says his investigation into Official Information Act practices has identified significant gaps in the way agencies are responding to journalists, training staff and keeping records.
Australian and New Zealand Information Commissioners and Ombudsmen today highlight the importance of government agencies developing robust digital systems that strengthen the community’s access to information.
The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his half-yearly data on Official Information Act and Local Government Official Information Act complaints.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says it is unacceptable that restraint methods which can cause pain are still being used to control people with intellectual disabilities at the Mason Clinic.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry is holding a public hearing to examine the responses of State agencies to the abuse and neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People's Commission Bill was passed on 23 August. It will come into effect on 1 July 2023 (unless the Governor-General appoints an earlier date).
The Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) says that disabled people’s human rights will not be fully realised in Aotearoa unless there is a jointly owned and implemented cross government agency approach.
The Chief Ombudsman has launched an investigation into concerns that councils are undermining local democracy by using ‘workshops’ to discuss issues and make decisions behind closed doors.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has today launched a dedicated web page on the Ombudsman NZ website to highlight his new disability advisory panel Te Rōpū Kaiārahi Hauātanga.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says it is unreasonable that there is no mechanism to reassess funding for community participation programmes for disabled people throughout their life once they have left school.
Police failed to advise a requester of its decision on an Official Information Act (OIA) request as early as it could have because of its practice of advising the Police Minister three working days in advance of decisions on certain requests.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has formed an opinion that the public interest did not outweigh reasons to withhold information requested under the Official Information Act from the Ministry of Health about the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The Chief Ombudsman has published a case note on an investigation following a complaint by a requester about a number of refusals by Inland Revenue to provide information.
The Kiingitanga and the Chief Ombudsman have agreed to the appointment of Ngira Simmonds to Pūhara Mana Tangata – the Ombudsman’s Maaori Advisory Panel.
The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says the passing of new whistleblower legislation will help reinforce New Zealand’s international reputation as a free and transparent society.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says he is worried about high rates of seclusion at two Bay of Plenty mental health facilities, particularly for Māori patients.
A report summarising the Chief Ombudsman’s observations and recommendations of a sample of secure intellectual disability residences in New Zealand has been published.
The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage acted unreasonably by not consulting more widely before forming a preference for a location for the proposed National Erebus Memorial in Auckland.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is reminding people making requests for official information, and agencies dealing with those requests, to be mindful of the need to act fairly, reasonably, and with understanding, during the implementation of the current C
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has grave concerns about what he describes as a ‘volatile’ environment at an inpatient unit at Dunedin’s Wakari Hospital which houses people with intellectual disabilities and/or mental health issues.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says New Zealand should feel proud that it has once again topped a global index of perceptions of anti-corruption levels in the public sector and judiciary.