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See the latest news and announcements.

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  • New case note—information about COVID-19 clusters

    News article
    Issue date:

    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.

  • Mental health units not to be used for long term accommodation, says Ombudsman

    Media release
    Issue date:

    The Chief Ombudsman today released a report identifying another mental health unit in the Auckland region in which people are staying longer than clinically needed.

  • New guidance—the OIA’s confidentiality withholding ground

    News article
    Issue date:

    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.

  • New privacy guide and case notes

    News article
    Issue date:

    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.

  • Chief Ombudsman releases opinion concerning Let's Get Wellington Moving letter

    Media release
    Issue date:
    Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier today released his Final Opinion on a complaint about the withholding of a letter written by Green MP and Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter.
  • OPCAT aged care inspections programme information published

    News article
    Issue date:

    One of the Chief Ombudsman’s roles is to check on the treatment and conditions of people held in secure facilities – places people can’t leave even if they want to.

  • 2018/2019 Annual Report released

    News article
    Issue date:

    Our annual report is now online and it shows what we’ve been doing over the past year to improve how we handle your complaints and protect your rights to request information.

  • Annual Report highlights a pleasing year

    Media release
    Issue date:
    Public sector agencies are increasingly making use of advice and resources from the Ombudsman.
  • Ombudsman releases Community attitudes towards freedom of information survey

    Media release
    Issue date:
    The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says too many New Zealanders are unaware of their rights to request information from Ministers, government agencies and Councils.
  • Free and frank advice and the Official Information Act

    News article
    Issue date:
    How do we strike the right balance between enabling confidential consideration of free and frank advice, and enabling the public to access official information to support open government? Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier discusses in a new Victoria University Policy Quarterly article.
  • 30 years of the OIA in NZ

    Media release
    Issue date:
    30 years ago today, on 1 July 1983, the Official Information Act (OIA) came into force.