News

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.

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’s Māori panel – Pūhara Mana Tangata – has published a report of its first two years in operation.

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.

Our latest OQR is out.

In this issue:

An opinion by the Chief Ombudsman has found that the handling of three separate complaints by the former Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) was unreasonable.

The Chief Ombudsman has released his report on an unannounced inspection of Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989.

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has released a series of New Zealand Sign Language resources to coincide with the start of New Zealand Sign Language Week 2021, today.

The Chief Ombudsman has published a case note on a complaint about a request for information about the names of COVID-19 clusters linked to cases in the Bay of Plenty District.

The Chief Ombudsman has published a new guide today on the OIA’s confidentiality withholding ground.

The OIA says that information must be made available unless there is a good reason not to.

The Chief Ombudsman has published a new guide today on the OIA’s privacy withholding ground.

The OIA says that information must be made available unless there is a good reason not to.

The OIA calculator is back online.

Thank you for your patience while we addressed the issues in the previous version.

OIA calculator

Changes to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) which came into effect on 21 March 2019 will affect ‘working day’ calculations for LGOIMA.

Last Friday’s attacks in Christchurch have shaken us all to the core.

To the people of Christchurch and to all those who have lost loved ones, my thoughts are with you. Kia kaha.