News

The Chief Ombudsman has published a new case note on Official Information Act requests to the Ministry of Health and Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited for data on COVID-19 PCR tests.

The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has today published two new case notes. Both relate to the public being excluded from meetings.

Learn what makes regulatory policies robust, fair, and fit-for-purpose.

The Ombudsman’s latest guide provides insights and lessons learnt from his investigations, monitoring, and oversight roles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Health apologised to a complainant following an investigation by Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier into a delay in making and relaying a decision on a request for official information.

A decision by the ministry of Health to refuse separate requests for the contracted prices paid for COVID-19 vaccines and the contracted delivery schedules was correct, the Chief Ombudsman says.

As Chief Ombudsman, I am committed to doing everything I can to prevent staff and visitors to my office from being exposed to the risk of COVID-19.

The Chief Ombudsman has found that a decision by the Government Communications Security Bureau and the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service to extended the statutory time limit to make a decision on an OIA request was unreasonable.

The OQR for Spring 2021 is out.

In this issue:

If you ask an agency for official information, by law they must respond to your request as soon as reasonably practicable - and no later than 20 working days after they receive it.

Today is International Right to Know Day.

As New Zealand’s Chief Ombudsman, it is one of the most significant dates in my calendar.

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has recommended the Ministry of Education apologise to the Taihape Area School community and board of trustees over its handling of a farm that was bought by the former Taihape College and local community.

Work to support and develop integrity institutions across the Pacific will be strengthened by a United Nations Resolution affirming the importance of the Ombudsman role, says Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier.

The Chief Ombudsman has issued a new case note that further illustrates his approach to section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the OIA when coalition negotiations are in train.

The Chief Ombudsman has published a new guide on how to deal with OIA requests for the names and contact details of public sector employees.

This guide answers questions from agencies and requesters about dealing with official information requests during the COVID-19 emergency. It:

The Chief Ombudsman has provided agencies responsible for places of detention with a set of principles to guide them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OPCAT inspections and visits during COVID-19 pandemic – update and Statement of Principles

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is urging both agencies and people requesting official information to act fairly, reasonably and with understanding during the course of the Coronavirus emergency.

The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has responded to the Government’s decision to raise the COVID-19 Alert Level to 4 by closing his offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The Chief Ombudsman has published a new summary of his investigation into the State Services Commission (SSC)’s decision to withhold information about public service chief executive remuneration.

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.

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.

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.