Revised approach to official information delay complaints

These are complaints about the alleged failure by public sector agencies to meet the maximum statutory timeframe to respond to requesters under the Official Information Act (OIA) and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA).

The updated approach will support the Ombudsman’s office to focus on the early resolution of complaints and incentivise public sector agencies to acknowledge and resolve any delays which do occur as quickly as possible.

It will ensure that our inquiry and investigation processes do not increase the delays the requester is experiencing and is consistent with our view that transparency will drive better agency performance and compliance and help maintain public trust in government.

The number of OIA delay complaints received and the outcome will continue to be published on a six-monthly basis as part of our current publication of OIA complaints data project. 

Read more about the Ombudsman's approach to delay complaints. 

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