Chief Ombudsman releases final report

The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has today released his final report to Parliament.

“It has become customary for the Chief Ombudsman to release a final report before they leave Office. ‘The Way I See It’ is my final report. In it I share some personal thoughts on the jurisdiction and constitutional position of the Ombudsman in New Zealand as I see it.”

Read the report 

The Ombudsman’s Office has undergone rapid growth and change since it was first established in New Zealand in 1962 and it is “probably the best in the world” he says. 

 “It’s clear the role is well understood and protected and that the Ombudsman helps Parliament hold the government of the day to account. I think Parliament recognises the value of the constitutional independence of the Ombudsman in our country. 

“This is a good thing, but it‘s only tenable through the willingness of Parliament to fund the Ombudsman properly so that we can provide the best possible service and obtain a clear and contemporaneous view of how the Government is operating and impacting people.

“I hope that the respect, trust and integrity of the Ombudsman continues to grow for the benefit of all New Zealanders,” he says.

Mr Boshier leaves office on March 28.