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.
1586 Resources Show all
Overview of the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022
Protected Disclosures ActThis guide provides information and guidance for disclosers including the terms used in the Act, the protections available for people who make protected disclosures, and what disclosers can expect after making a protected disclosure.Information generated under Labtests contract held by Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora
Case notesMinistry of Health not entitled to rely on section 18(g) of the OIA to refuse email exchange between Labtests staff – Ministry contracted Labtests to undertake community COVID-19 testing on its behalf – section 2(5) of the OIA establishes that inforDeficiencies and delays in decision-making process and release of official information
Case notesRequest for official information about patient and staff safety — failure by the Ministry of Health to make and communicate a decision on request within extended time limit — flaws in the Ministry’s decision-making process rendered the decision unreCouncil’s decision to charge for supply of official information
Case notesDecision to charge $836.00 for supply of information relating to Policy NFL-P5 of the Proposed District Plan – unreasonable charge – Council accepted recommendation to reconsider its decision and engage with the requester to consider ways to refineTemplate letter: Requesting official information
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter when you need to request official information.Feedback on the Health and Disability Commissioner Act and Code review
SubmissionsThe Health and Disability Commissioner undertook a review of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights and the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994.Refusal to provide information and interviews following a journalist’s coverage of a decision
OpinionsThe Chief Ombudsman formed the opinion that Pharmac’s decision not to provide information or interviews to the complainant’s media network during the period in question was unreasonable.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2025
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review for Summer 2025 is out now.In this issue:The way I see it
ReportsReport by the Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier, December 2015 to March 2025, on leaving Office.Te Pūrongo nā Te Pūhara Mana Tangata ki te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata 2022-2024
ReportsThis report follows on from the inaugural report of Pūhara Mana Tangata released in 2022. It covers key highlights and reflections of Pūhara Mana Tangata over the period from 2022-2024.Request for school dental data
Case notesA member of the public complained to the Chief Ombudsman about Health New Zealand’s (HNZ) decision to refuse their request for official information about school dental data.Multiple requests for information from Health New Zealand
Case notesRequests for official information made to Health New Zealand (HNZ) – failures by HNZ to make and communicate decisions on requests within statutory timeframe under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) – HNZ claimed to have made decisions within the lOfficial Information Act timeliness reports 2025
Official Information Practice InvestigationsIn 2025 the Ombudsman released reports on the timeliness of Official Information Act responses from 7 agencies.Official information act guides and resources
FactsheetsA list of the official information support and resources referred to in The Chief Ombudsman’s reflections on the Official Information Act 1982.OIA timeliness at Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman conducted a self-initiated investigation to examine the practices and processes used by seven agencies to meet their overarching obligations under the Official Information Act 1982 to:OIA timeliness at Kāinga Ora | Homes and Communities
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman conducted a self-initiated investigation to examine the practices and processes used by seven agencies to meet their overarching obligations under the Official Information Act 1982 to:OIA timeliness at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman conducted a self-initiated investigation to examine the practices and processes used by seven agencies to meet their overarching obligations under the Official Information Act 1982 to:OIA timeliness at Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman conducted a self-initiated investigation to examine the practices and processes used by seven agencies to meet their overarching obligations under the Official Information Act 1982 to:OIA timeliness at Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman conducted a self-initiated investigation to examine the practices and processes used by seven agencies to meet their overarching obligations under the Official Information Act 1982 to:OIA timeliness at The Treasury | Te Hai Ōhanga
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman conducted a self-initiated investigation to examine the practices and processes used by seven agencies to meet their overarching obligations under the Official Information Act 1982 to:OIA timeliness at Transpower
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman conducted a self-initiated investigation to examine the practices and processes used by seven agencies to meet their overarching obligations under the Official Information Act 1982 to:The Chief Ombudsman’s reflections on the Official Information Act
ReportsOutgoing Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier released this report about his reflections on the Official Information Act 1982, from his during nine years in the role.Decision to reduce access to phone and video calls for young person in residence
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint from a young person who was placed in a specialist residential programme operated by Barnardos Aotearoa, in its capacity as a care and custody provider for young people in the custody Oranga Tamariki.Request for information about former CEO’s exit payments
Case notesAfter the Chief Executive of Christchurch City Council tendered their resignation, requesters asked the Council for details of the (now former) CEO’s exit payment.OIA and LGOIMA complaints received between 1 July and 31 December 2024
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on Official Information Act (OIA) and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) complaints on a six-monthly basis.At a glance: Aged care monitoring observations 2021 to 2024
FactsheetsThis At a Glance gives a snapshot of what the Chief Ombudsman has seen during his visits and inspections. He has looked at what is working well, along with areas for improvement.OPCAT Aged Care Monitoring: Chief Ombudsman's Observations 2021 to 2024
OPCAT reportsThis report summarises some of the Chief Ombudsman's insights from visits to secure aged care facilities between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2024.Failure to action particular recommendations from annual dam safety reviews and to clear debris from local waterway
OpinionsThe complainant, who represents people in Havelock North who were affected by the flooding event caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, raised concerns that the Hastings District Council failed to properly maintain the Mangarau and Herehere dams and the Mangarau stream, from about 2004 to 2023.Complaint about Accident Compensation Corporation not notifying health practitioners about treatment injury claims
Case notesHealth practitioner complained that Accident Compensation Corporation not providing an opportunity to respond to treatment injury claims before they are accepted was a breach of natural justice under the NZ Bill of Rights Act - Ombudsman considers ACC did not act unreasonably or contrary to lawSubmission on the Mental Health Bill
SubmissionsThe Mental Health Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. The bill aims to create a modern legislative framework for compulsory mental health care.Submissions on the review of preventive detention and post-sentence orders
SubmissionsTe Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission is undertaking a review of the laws providing for preventive detention and post-sentence supervision or detention.Request for late sibling’s medical records
Case notesA person sought their late sibling’s (the individual) health records from Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora (HNZ).