Resources and publications
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Search our guides, case notes, opinions, reports and other information. Our 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.
1213 Resources Show all
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.Complaint 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 iFull 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 resolutioComplaint 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 attendeesCancellation 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 apologyCall 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 familyOPCAT 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.Criteria 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.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.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.Upcoming OPCAT inspection by Chief Ombudsman’s team
FactsheetsInformation for residents of a facility that is being inspected, and their family and whanau.FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19
Official informationThis guide answers questions from agencies and requesters about dealing with official information requests during the COVID-19 emergency. It:OPCAT inspections during COVID-19 pandemic – update and Statement of Principles poster
Pamphlets and postersThis poster compliments the set of principles provided to guide agencies responsible for places of detention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full update and Statement or Principles for more information.Criteria for OPCAT COVID-19 Inspections
FactsheetsPurpose Inspecting places of detention helps to ensure that people who are deprived of their liberty are treated humanely, and their rights are respected and protected.OPCAT inspections and visits during COVID-19 pandemic – update and Statement of Principles
GuidesUpdate on OPCAT inspections and visits Monitoring places of detention is an essential preventive safeguard for the treatment of people who have been deprived of their liberty.Decision to release tender information in response to Official Information Act request
Case notesComplaint about a decision to release information under the Official Information Act—Ministry consulted adequately with affected party—Ministry took into account affected party’s submissions, all relevant considerations, principle of availability, legisExtension of time limit to enable kanohi ki te kanohi consultation
Case notesExtension to enable kanohi ki te kanohi consultation on OIA request reasonable in the circumstancesRequest for record of ‘without prejudice’ meeting
Case notesSection 7(2)(g) LGOIMA did not apply—‘without prejudice’ privilege is not an aspect of legal professional privilege—s 7(2)(c)(ii) applied—obligation of confidence attaches to information subject to without prejudice privilege—release would make people rPūhara Mana Tangata Terms of Reference
Advisory groupsThis document outlines the terms of reference for Pūhara Mana Tangata, the Chief Ombudsman's Māori advisory panel. Pūhara Mana TangataReport on an unannounced follow up inspection of Wards 34, 35 and 36, Waikato Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Reports, OPCAT reportsForeword This report sets out my findings and recommendations concerning the treatment and conditions of service users detained in Wards 34, 35 and 36 (the Wards).Report on an unannounced inspection of Puna Awhi-rua Forensic Inpatient Ward, Waikato Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Reports, OPCAT reportsBackground 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 treatment of service users detaReport on an unannounced inspection of Puna Maatai Forensic Inpatient Ward, Waikato Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Reports, OPCAT reportsBackground 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 treatment of service userReport on an unannounced inspection of Puna Poipoi Forensic Rehabilitation Ward, Waikato Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Reports, OPCAT reportsBackground 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 treatment of service users detaOIA complaints received with resolutions July 2016 - December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThis .CSV file contains a list of all complaints received with resolutions under the OIA for the past three years.OIA complaints completed July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completed