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See the latest news and announcements.

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  • Use your right to know: Chief Ombudsman

    Media release
    Issue date:

    Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says it is alarming that awareness of the Official Information Act and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act has declined for the second year in a row.

  • It’s your Right to Know

    News article
    Issue date:

    Today is International Right to Know Day.

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

  • Final opinion on Taihape Area School’s complaint over its farm

    News article
    Issue date:

    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.

  • OIA complaints rise in six months

    Media release
    Issue date:

    Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has released the latest Official Information Act and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act complaints data.

  • Failings in Ministry stewardship of High and Complex Framework

    Media release
    Issue date:

    The Ministry of Health needs to urgently improve its oversight of services for people with an intellectual disability and high and complex needs, says Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier.

  • New case note: WorkSafe’s decision not to formally investigate an incident

    News article
    Issue date:

    The complainant was injured at a mine site on 11 April 2018 while doing a demolition job for a mining company. The company notified WorkSafe and advised that the complainant suffered a minor soft tissue injury.

  • Minister for Courts found to have acted contrary to law over OIA request

    News article
    Issue date:

    Failure by the Minister for Courts to make and communicate his decision on a request for official information within extended time limit — Ombudsman investigation found a failure to meet statutory obligations imposed by the OIA —appeared contrary to law

  • Waka Kotahi waives toll fee after evidence of vehicle sale

    News article
    Issue date:

    A woman who sold her car and left New Zealand in December 2019 found herself at the receiving end of correspondence from a debt collection agency for unpaid toll fees.

  • Ombudsman COVID-19 report highlights safe practices but some concerns remain

    Media release
    Issue date:

    An inspection by the Chief Ombudsman of six secure aged care facilities during COVID-19 Alert Levels 1 and 2 last year has found they were safe and hygienic but a lack of staff was having an impact on services.

  • Chief Ombudsman welcomes Protected Disclosure Act review

    Media release
    Issue date:

    The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has welcomed today’s announcement by the Minister of State Services Chris Hipkins that the Government intends to begin strengthening the Protected Disclosures Act to provide better protection for whistle blowers.

  • Integrity doesn’t stop at the border

    News article
    Issue date:
    A Memorandum of Understanding signed this week sets out how the New Zealand and Thai Ombudsmen will work together for good governance, integrity and human rights across the Asia and Pacific regions.
  • Chief Ombudsman releases new case note on chief executive remuneration

    News article
    Issue date:

    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.

  • New complaints handling research announced

    News article
    Issue date:

    We’re helping with research by the University of Newcastle Australia into the benefits of good complaints handling in public sector organisations.

  • Hawke’s Bay prisoners’ conditions and treatment improving

    Media release
    Issue date:
    The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison has made significant progress towards improving prisoners’ safety but has been slow to improve conditions for remand and at risk prisoners.
  • Awareness of whistleblowing legislation alarmingly low

    News article
    Issue date:

    Public awareness of the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) is very low, according to research undertaken on behalf of the Ombudsman.

  • New guides – Commercial withholding grounds and consulting third parties

    News article
    Issue date:

    The Chief Ombudsman has published a new tranche of guidance on the OIA. There are two new guides on the commercial and negotiations withholding grounds and one guide on how the OIA applies to information about public tender processes.

  • Chief Ombudsman welcomes new Oranga Tamariki role

    News article
    Issue date:

    Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is welcoming the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people within the state care and youth justice system.

  • Changes to the LGOIMA, including ‘working day’ definition

    News article
    Issue date:

    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.

  • Message from the Chief Ombudsman - 19 March 2019

    News article
    Issue date:

    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.

  • Latest OIA data released by the Ombudsman – LGOIMA data to be released in September

    Media release
    Issue date:
    The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier today released his latest Official Information Act data, which shows a 34% rise in complaints received by his office since the data was first published two-and-a-half years ago.
  • Chief Ombudsman releases opinion on Auckland Council complaint

    Media release
    Issue date:
    Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has asked Auckland Council to apologise to Radio New Zealand over the way the Council dealt with a request for official information.
  • Chief Ombudsman welcomes Christchurch City Council information release

    Media release
    Issue date:
    Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has welcomed today’s decision by the Christchurch City Council to release the information regarding the cost of the digital touch-wall in its new library.