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.
1386 Resources Show all
Ombudsman’s approach to delay complaints
GuidesIntroduction The Chief Ombudsman has decided to make changes to his handling of delay complaints alleging breaches by public sector agencies of the maximum statutory timeframe obligations set out in the Official Information Act (OIA) and the LProtected disclosures – guidance on internal policies and procedures
Guides, Protected Disclosures ActIf your organisation is looking to encourage an open reporting culture, or is currently grappling with how to handle a protected disclosure by one of your employees about serious wrongdoing in your workplace, the Ombudsman can provide guidance.Checklist – Am I ready to make a protected disclosure?
Protected Disclosures ActThis checklist will assist if you are considering making a protected disclosure about serious wrongdoing in your workplace, or wondering whether you need more information and guidance.Making a protected disclosure - a guide to "blowing the whistle"
Protected Disclosures ActIf you’re concerned about serious wrongdoing in or by your organisation, the Ombudsman is able to provide information and guidance.Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (June 2022)
Waka TangataLack of review mechanism for community participation services funding unreasonable
Case notesBackground The Chief Ombudsman received a complaint about the level of Community Participation Services provided by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).Ministerial notifications and the obligation to communicate decisions ‘as soon as reasonably practicable’
Case notesBackground The requester asked for information about Police’s ‘consent to assume online identity’ process, after the issue had been the subject of media reporting.Requests for information relating to the COVID-19 vaccination programme
Case notesBackground A requester sought a broad range of clinical information provided to the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe) by the pharmaceutical companies that were developing the COVID-19 vaccine, including safeDelay in responding to request for information about transferrals between hospitals
Case notesBackground On 18 February 2021, the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) received a request for official information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA), relating to transferrals from Southland Hospital to Dunedin Hospital between 2016Inaugural Pūhara Mana Tangata report for 2020/2021
Annual reportsThe Chief Ombudsman’s Māori panel – Pūhara Mana Tangata – has published a report of its first two years in operation.Requests for information deemed vexatious and not in good faith due to offensive language
Case notesOutcome The Ombudsman acknowledged that the complainant may have had a legitimate grievance with the actions of IR, but the approach and language used exceeded what would be considered proper and acceptable by a government department.Expectations for conditions and treatment of residents in health and disability places of detention – aged care
OPCATThe Chief Ombudsman’s ‘Expectations for the conditions and treatment of residents in health and disability facilities- aged care’ (‘Expectations – aged care’) are intended to provide residents, their whānau, facility management and staff, Parliament, anOmbudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for Autumn 2022 is out now. This edition includes:OPCAT aged care monitoring programme
FactsheetsReport on an unannounced inspection of Ward 21, Palmerston North Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background Ombudsmen are 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 tānReport on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Toki Maurere Unit, Whakatāne Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background This report sets out my findings and recommendations concerning the treatment and conditions of people detained in Te Toki Maurere Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (the Unit), which was inspected betwReport on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Whare Maiangiangi Unit, Tauranga Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 Primary tabs
OPCATExecutive Summary Background This report sets out my findings and recommendations concerning the conditions and treatment of people detained in Te Whare Maiangiangi Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (the Unit), which was inspectedOPCAT Report: Thematic report on inspections of secure intellectual disability facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsRequest for data gathered by Inland Revenue contractor
Case notesOutcome The Ombudsman formed the opinion that it was unreasonable for IR to rely on sections 18(e) and 18(c)(i) of the OIA in this case.Chief Ombudsman’s opinion under the Ombudsmen Act - Erebus Memorial
OpinionsSummary I have found that the lack of consultation by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage/Manatū Taonga (the Ministry) before forming a preference in August 2018 for Dove-Myer Robinson Park/Taurarua as the site for the National ErebusOIA and LGOIMA complaints July - December 2021
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis. Complaints receivedCouncil not entitled to withhold internal workshop presentation
Case notesSummary Council was not entitled to refuse release of PowerPoint presented at a workshop – Section 7(2)(f)(i) of LGOIMA did not apply – no evidence showing that future exchange of free and frank opinions would be inhibited – LGOIMA provisiAnalyses of electronic commerce chapter of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
Case notesRequest to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for analyses of electronic commerce chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and other trade negotiations – Sections 6(a), 6(b)(i), 9(2)(g)(i), 9(2)(h) and 9(2)(j) of the Official InformatioFailure of Immigration New Zealand to provide interpreter at border
Case notesThe complainant consented to be interviewed at New Zealand border without an interpreter – INZ refused entry - Ombudsman not convinced that complainant adequately understood the questions - Ombudsman formed the opinion that INZ’s decision to conductUnreasonable decision of Board of Trustees to trespass student without opportunity to comment
Case notesStudent trespassed after planning and holding a fight on school grounds – Chief Ombudsman found the student’s family was not given an opportunity to comment before the trespass decision was finalised – Ombudsman recommended that the Board of TrusteeOmbudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Summer 2022 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. In this issue: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:Report on an announced inspection of Manaakitanga Inpatient Unit, Te Nīkau Grey Base Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are 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 patiReport on an unannounced inspection of Ward 10a and Helensburgh Cottage, Wakari Hospital Dunedin, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions of detention and tReport on an unannounced inspection of Wāhi Oranga Mental Health Admission Unit, Nelson Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as 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 tReport on an unannounced inspection of Ward 6C, Dunedin Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reports… times to support their understanding. The Ward ensures its complaints system is accessible and well communicated, includes the centralised recording of complaints, the corrective action taken, and a clear pathway …Report on an unannounced inspection of the Fraser McDonald Unit, Auckland District Health Board, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are 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 pati