Resources and publications
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Search guides, case notes, opinions, reports and other information. Resources and publications can also be searched by date and other options.
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More information about the resource categories on this page
Guides
Commonly used guides include:
- The OIA for Ministers and agencies
- The LGOIMA for local government agencies
- Making official information requests: a guide for requesters
Detailed guidance on the official information legislation and aspects of good administrative practice.
We also have guidance on disability rights and protected disclosures.
Case notes and opinions
Case notes are a short case summary, often demonstrating an aspect of a case.
An Ombudsman's Opinion is published where there is public interest in showing the full details of a case.
Reports
Reports include OPCAT, disability rights, official information practice and systemic investigation.
Outreach
Contains our media releases, newsletters, pamphlets, speeches and fact sheets. Fact sheets are published in multiple language and accessible formats.
Corporate documents
This includes our annual reports and strategic intentions.
Projects, reference and data
This includes our official information complaints data, updates on investigations and other projects, and submissions by the Ombudsman.
View all projects, reference and data
Template letters and work sheets
These template letters and work sheets can be used by agencies to help respond to official information requests.
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Delay in responding to request for information about the Invited Visitor Policy and sponsorship
Case notesFailure by Antarctica New Zealand to make and communicate its decision on a request for official information within extended time limit—this appeared to be contrary to law—deemed to be a refusal under s 28(4)(b) OIA—investigation of deemed refusal commeConsultation on health and safety plans for Managed Isolation Facility
Case notesComplaint about level of consultation with residents before Stamford Plaza Hotel became a Managed Isolation Facility—Chief Ombudsman found that the Department did not consult appropriately with the residents before this occurred—the Department also didFAQs: official information requests during a general election period
Official informationThis guide answers questions from agencies and requesters about dealing with official information requests during the general election period. It:OIA and LGOIMA complaints January - June 2020
Projects, reference & dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for winter 2020 is out. In this issue:OPCAT: Ombudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities
OPCAT projects, FactsheetsOmbudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities Update: August 2020Report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Whare o Matairangi Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Wellington Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Report on an unannounced inspection of He Puna Wāiora Mental Health Inpatient Unit, North Shore Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treReport on an unannounced inspection of Waiatarau Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Waitakere Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treReport on an unannounced inspection of Tumanako Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Whangarei Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treReport on an unannounced inspection of the Kensington Centre Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Timaru, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treFinal report on an unannounced inspection of Waikeria Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThe following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).OPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of aged care facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary This report outlines my key findings, suggestions, and recommendations in relation to OPCAT COVID-19 inspections of six secure aged care facilities[1] (the Facilities) between 17 April and 8 May 2020.The OIA and the Inquiries Act 2013
Official informationThis guide aims to answer questions about how the Inquiries Act 2013 interacts with the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). This guide discusses:He Take Kōhukihuki | A Matter of Urgency
InvestigationsExecutive summary My investigation The role of Oranga Tamariki—the Ministry for Children (the Ministry) is to promote the wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau.Treatment of disabled mother and removal of newborn child
Case notesOutcome The Chief Ombudsman formed the opinion that Child, Youth and Family, then as part of the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry), had acted unreasonably in its treatment of the child’s mother.Off the Record: An investigation into the Ministry of Health’s collection, use, and reporting of information about the deaths of people with intellectual disabilities
Systemic investigationsExecutive summary The investigation New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities have overall poorer health outcomes compared to people without intellectual disabilities, despite higher than average use of health services.Making Disability Rights Real 2014 - 2019
Disability rights reportsExecutive Summary New Zealand has a mixed record when it comes to the rights of disabled people.Checklist: Protecting whistleblower confidentiality
Protected Disclosures ActThis checklist will assist if you or your organisation has received a protected disclosure about serious wrongdoing in your workplace.OPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of prisons under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary This report outlines my key findings and recommendations in relation to nine prisons inspected during the period of 29 April 2020 to 8 May 2020.Full Practice review of social work practice after notification of investigation
Case notesComplaint about Oranga Tamariki’s (the Ministry) apparent failure to protect a vulnerable child—the Ministry reviewed the complaint after notification of investigation and began a full case review - Chief Ombudsman felt this was a satisfactory resolutioCall to avoid the pending removal of a newborn baby
Case notesPending removal of newborn from hospital by Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry) - family now willing and able to care for baby - Inquiries made and the Ministry able to make alternative arrangements—baby discharged from hospital with familyComplaint about the reimbursement of costs when attending the Chief Executive’s Advisory Panel
Case notesComplaint about Oranga Tamariki's (the Ministry) Chief Executive’s Advisory Panel’s process for reimbursement of costs - complainant was not informed of the process - Ombudsman suggested an update to the information sheet provided to attendeesComplaint from a young person in a Care and Protection Residence
Case notesComplaint from young person in Care and Protection Residence - Planning for placement outside Residence and communication about this unreasonable - Placement in Residence to be a last resort and for as short a time as possible - Placement found during iCancellation of access between mother and son due to COVID Alert Level 4 lockdown
Case notesCancellation of face-to-face access due to lockdown - Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry) applied blanket rule not required by the Health Act Notices and failed to consider individual circumstances - Access reinstated so Chief Ombudsman recommended apologyOPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of mental health facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary This report outlines my key findings and recommendations in relation to the five inspections of mental health and addiction facilities (the Facilities) during the period 29 April 2020 – 6 May 2020.Proactive release: Good practices for proactive release of official information
Official informationThis guide:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: how our Office responded to lockdown COVID-19 inspections of prisons and care homes complaints resolution—avoiding a backlog Chief Ombudsman’s term renewed.Request for MSD historic claims guidebook
Case notesComplaint about the decision to withhold a document containing procedures and guidance under section 9(2)(j) of the Official Information Act—section 9(2)(j) did not apply—engagements conducted on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis are not clearly ‘negotiatioCriteria for OPCAT COVID-19 inspections - pamphlet
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet compliments the criteria for OPCAT COVID-19 inspections to guide agencies responsible for places of detention during the COVID-19 pandemic.Names and contact details of public sector employees
Official informationThis guide provides advice on how to deal with OIA and LGOIMA requests for the names and contact details of public sector employees.Processing requests for names of public sector employees work sheet
Worksheets and other resourcesThe Ombudsman’s general position is that there is usually no basis for withholding staff names if all that would be revealed is what they did in their official capacity. However, withholding staff names may be justified in particular circumstances.