A list of the official information support and resources referred to in The Chief Ombudsman’s reflections on the Official Information Act 1982.
General guidance
Making a request
- Make official information requests: A guide for requesters
- Requesting official information – a brief guide for media
- Directory of official information (managed by the Ministry of Justice)
More information at: www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/what-ombudsman-can-help/requests-official-information.
Responding to a request
- The OIA for ministers and agencies: A guide to processing official information requests
- Dealing with OIA requests involving Ministers: A guide to transfer, consultation, and the notification of decisions on OIA requests
- Proactive release: Good practices for proactive release of official information
More information at: www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/agency-assistance.
Guides to specific sections of the legislation
Responding to a request
- Charging: A guide to charging for official information under the OIA
- Commercial information: A guide to sections 9(2)(b) and 9(2)(i) of the OIA
- Conclusive reasons for refusing requests: A guide to the conclusive withholding grounds in section 6 of the OIA
- Confidential advice to government: A guide to section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the OIA
- Confidentiality - A guide to section 9(2)(ba) of the OIA
- Consultation: A guide to consulting third parties before making a decision on an OIA request
- Delayed responses: Guide for agencies on Ombudsman’s approach to delay complaints
- Documents in draft: A guide to how the OIA applies to requests for draft documents
- Free and frank opinions: A guide to section 9(2)(g)(i) of the OIA
- Frivolous, vexatious and trivial requests: A guide to section 18(h) of the OIA
- Information not held: A guide to sections 18(e) and (g) of the OIA
- Legal professional privilege: A guide to section 9(2)(h) of the OIA
- Negotiations: A guide to section 9(2)(j) of the OIA
- Online requests: A guide to requests made online through fyi.org.nz and social media
- Privacy: A guide to section 9(2)(a) of the OIA
- Public interest: A guide to the public interest test
- Public policy making: A guide to how the OIA applies to information generated in the context of the public policy making process
- Public tenders: The OIA and the public tender process
- Publicly available information: A guide to section 18(d) of the OIA
- Requests for internal decision making rules: A guide to section 22 of the OIA
- Requests for reasons for a decision or recommendation: A guide to section 23 of the OIA
- Substantial collation or research: A guide to section 18(f) of the OIA
See also the Ombudsman’s OIA practice reports, case notes, and final opinions on OIA complaints (searchable by OIA section and date).
Tools, templates, and training, for agencies subject to the OIA
- Free online learning course (Te Puna Mātauranga)
- Maximum response time calculator
- Worksheets and template letters to help ensure responders’ decisions, and communication, complies with the OIA
- Model protocol for dealing with requests involving Ministers
- Guidance on when to engage the Ombudsman in law reform proposals
- Self-assessment tool to help identify areas for improvement in OIA practice and compliance across an organisation’s leadership and culture, systems, processes, policies, and decision-making.
Get in touch to ask for advice or to organise a team OIA training session: online form, 0800 802 602, or [email protected]. Please note the Ombudsman can provide general advice on a specific OIA request but won’t tell you what decision to take in case they have to review it later.
Other support and guidance for agencies subject to the OIA
Managing official information
The New Zealand public sector is required by the Public Records Act 2005 (PRA) to create and maintain full, accurate and accessible records of the affairs of government. Guidance and resources on how to manage official information are available from Archives NZ website, including guidance on managing digital files including text messages and social media, and how to develop an OIA information search policy.
OIA and Proactive release advice and assistance
The Public Service Commission is the lead agency for New Zealand’s membership of the Open Government Partnership, promoting openness and transparency across government. Support and assistance includes OIA forums and sessions for new practitioners, open to staff from all agencies subject to the OIA. The PSC website contains resources including guidance on proactive release, and publishes OIA statistics.
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