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.
Use the search bar to make your search. Then use the filters to narrow down the results by resource type or topic.
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.
1207 Resources Show all
Chief Ombudsman revisits Not a game of hide and seek
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman is launching a new inquiry into whether central government agencies have addressed any weaknesses identified in a landmark investigation five years ago.Tauranga and Porirua City Councils in next round of LGOIMA practice investigations
Outreach, Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has announced a further two self-initiated investigations into the official information practices of selected councils.Ex-gratia payment for superannuitant in receipt of overseas pension
Case notesRequest by superannuitant for ex-gratia payment for deduction of voluntary component of overseas pension from New Zealand superannuation – Ministry of Social Development failed to advise superannuitant of discretion to defer commencement of deductioOmbudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: official information practice investigations highlights from our Annual Report 2018/19 whistleblowing freedom of information.LGOIMA compliance and practice at Christchurch City Council
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report sets out my opinion on how well Christchurch City Council (the Council) is meeting its obligations under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).Chief Ombudsman: new report ‘wakeup call’ for council leaders
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman says his latest report into official information practice at local authorities is a wakeup call for all council leaders about the importance of an open and transparent workplace culture – and their accountability for achieving that.Next round of LGOIMA practice investigations underway
Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has commenced another round of self-initiated investigations into the official information practices of selected councils.Chief Ombudsman releases opinion concerning Let's Get Wellington Moving letter
Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier today released his Final Opinion on a complaint about the withholding of a letter written by Green MP and Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter.Request for Associate Minister's letter concerning Let's Get Wellington Moving
OpinionsThe Hon Julie Anne Genter, Associate Minister of Transport (Associate Minister) sent a letter to the Hon Phil Twyford, Minister of Transport (Minister) during pre-consultation on the Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) indicative package draft Cabinet paLegal framework for Chief Ombudsman’s inspections of health & disability facilities
FactsheetsInspecting places of detention helps to ensure that people who are deprived of their liberty are treated humanely, and their rights are protected and restored.Orientation visits: First step in developing aged care inspections programme
FactsheetsOur first step in developing our new inspections programme is to familiarise ourselves with privately-run aged care facilities.OPCAT aged care inspections programme
FactsheetsAnnual Report 2018/2019
Annual reportsIt was a busy year. A very busy year. Using almost all measures, the level of our work increased, yet our results were, overall, very pleasing.Annual Report highlights a pleasing year
Media releasesPublic sector agencies are increasingly making use of advice and resources from the Ombudsman.Ombudsman releases Community attitudes towards freedom of information survey
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says too many New Zealanders are unaware of their rights to request information from Ministers, government agencies and Councils.Right to know essential to democracy in a digital world
Media releasesInformation Access Commissioners and Ombudsmen from across Australia and New Zealand are urging government agencies to do more to make information available for the benefit of citizens.Report on an unannounced inspection of Tongariro 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).Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Winter 2019
Outreach, Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:OIA complaints received January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.LGOIMA complaints received January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on LGOIMA complaints received against local agencies on a six-monthly basis.LGOIMA complaints completed January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedOIA complaints received with resolutions July 2016 - June 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.Latest OIA, and first set of LGOIMA data, released by the Ombudsman
Outreach, Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has released his latest OIA data, and, for the first time, the equivalent data for the LGOIMA.OIA complaints completed January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedReport on an unannounced inspection of Northland Regional Corrections Facility - August 2019
Reports, OPCAT reportsThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says the Northland Regional Corrections Facility is persisting with policies that are preventing it from achieving its full potential.Unintended consequences for prisoners as Northland continues with old regime
Outreach, Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says the Northland Regional Corrections Facility is persisting with policies that are preventing it from achieving its full potential. Mr Boshier says the Northland Regional Corrections Facility has changed focus.Fact sheet: Aged care monitoring
FactsheetsThis fact sheet sets out why the Ombudsman is monitoring privately-run aged care facilities, and how the monitoring will differ from existing audits and reviews.Ombudsman releases report on LGOIMA practice at Auckland Council
Outreach, Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his report into Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) compliance and practice at New Zealand's largest local authority.LGOIMA practice report: Auckland Council
Reports, Official Information Practice InvestigationsChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his report into Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) compliance and practice at Auckland Council.LGOIMA practice report: Far North District Council
Reports, Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman has released his report into Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act compliance and practice at Far North District Council.Ombudsman releases report on LGOIMA practice at Far North District Council
Outreach, Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his report into Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) compliance and practice at Far North District Council.Protected 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.