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Ngā rauemi me ngā tānga

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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92 Resources Show all

  • Chief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2022/2023

    Annual reports
    This year I have intensified my efforts to reach out to diverse communities around New Zealand. I have also continued my work to help lift good practices across government. This balance between the public and government is an important part of my independent role as an Officer of Parliament, and the need for me to reach out to both has become even more evident in current times.

  • Chief Ombudsman's Strategic Intentions - 2023 to 2028

    Strategic intentions
    I will maintain and strive to continually improve my existing practices in the areas of complaints-handling, proactive interventions, examination of places of detention, disability rights, and provision of agency learning and advice.

  • Removing barriers: Reasonable accommodation of disabled people in Aotearoa

    Disability rights
    This guide explains what 'reasonable accommodation' is and how to do it. Available in EasyRead, Te Reo Maori and New Zealand sign language.

  • Chief Ombudsman's Strategic Intentions - 2022 to 2027

    Strategic intentions
    As Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ombudsman, I give effect to a number of key democratic and human rights measures aimed at safeguarding the rights of people and promoting government accountability and transparency.

  • Chief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2021/2022

    Annual reports
    Watch the introduction in New Zealand Sign Language

  • Disability Rights: How is New Zealand doing?

    Disability rights
    This summary report updates the Committee, and the New Zealand Parliament and public, with recent information on the priority areas that prevent disabled people in New Zealand from realising their full suite of human rights as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

  • Inaugural Pūhara Mana Tangata report for 2020/2021

    Annual reports
    The Chief Ombudsman’s Māori panel – Pūhara Mana Tangata – has published a report of its first two years in operation.

  • Annual Report 2020/2021

    Annual reports
    The global COVID-19 pandemic has continued to dominate our lives in the past year, creating new challenges for us all.

  • Strategic intentions 2021-26

    Strategic intentions
    As Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ombudsman, I give effect to a number of key democratic and human rights measures aimed at safeguarding the rights of individuals and promoting government accountability and transparency.

  • Research: Access to government information (2021)

    Corporate information
    In September 2021, the Ombudsman New Zealand commissioned a research agency, UMR, to undertake a nationwide online survey of 1,005 New Zealanders aged 18 years and over, to gauge awareness of the Official Information Act (OIA) and Local Government Offic

  • International Development and Engagement Strategy (July 2020 – December 2023)

    Strategic intentions
    The International Development and Engagement Strategy has been developed to guide the international work of the Ombudsman from July 2020 to December 2023.

  • Annual Report 2019/20

    Annual reports
    COVID-19. The pandemic which swept the world in 2020 is undoubtedly the defining event of the past year. It has further defined the role of Ombudsman.

  • Confidentiality work sheet

    Worksheets and other resources
    This summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is good reason to withhold ‘confidential information’ under section 9(2)(ba) of the OIA / 7(2)(c) of the LGOIMA, because release would be likely to (i) prejudice the supply of similar informa

  • Privacy worksheet

    Worksheets and other resources
    This summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is good reason to withhold official information under section 9(2)(a) of the OIA / 7(2)(a) of the LGOIMA, because it is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including deceased

  • Processing requests for names of public sector employees work sheet

    Worksheets and other resources
    The 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.

  • Pūhara Mana Tangata Terms of Reference

    Advisory groups
    These documents outline the terms of reference for Pūhara Mana Tangata, the Chief Ombudsman's Māori panel.

  • Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation between Ombudsman Thailand and the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand

    Protocols with agencies
    On 11 February 2020 the Office of the Ombudsman Thailand and the Chief Ombudsman signed a Memorandum of Understanding, in the interest of fostering international cooperation in the field of complaint-handling, good governance, protection of human rights

  • Annual Report 2018/2019

    Annual reports
    It 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.

  • Strategic Intentions 2019/2023

    Corporate information, Strategic intentions
    Our Strategic Intentions document sets out the nature and scope of our functions, the strategic direction of our organisation, what we are hoping to achieve, and some key measures.

  • Template letter 1: Acknowledgement letter

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this template letter to acknowledge receipt of a request for official information.

  • Template letter 2: Letter seeking clarification or amendment of request

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this letter if you need to seek clarification or amendment of a request for official information.

  • Template letter 3: Transfer letter to requester

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this letter to inform the requester that you have had to transfer some or all of their request to another agency subject to the OIA or LGOIMA.

  • Template letter 4: Transfer letter to other agency

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this letter to transfer some or all of a request for official information to another agency subject to the OIA or LGOIMA.

  • Template letter 5: Extension letter

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this letter to notify the requester of an extension of the maximum timeframe for making and communicating a decision on their request for official information.

  • Making complaints to the UN Disability Committee: A guide for New Zealanders

    Disability rights
    This guide explains how to make a complaint to the UN Disability Committee. Available in English, te reo Māori, Easy Read, as a summary poster, NZ sign language video and audio guide.

  • Template letter 6: Letter communicating the decision on a request

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this letter to make and communicate the decision on a request for official information.

  • Template letter 7: Charging letter

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this letter to tell the requester you intend to charge for the supply of official information.

  • Template letter 8: Consultation with requester before relying on section 18(f) OIA / section 17(f) LGOIMA

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Agencies must consider consulting the requester before refusing a request on the grounds of substantial collation or research. This letter provides a basis for written consultation with the requester.

  • Template letter 9: Confirming outcome of consultation with requester

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    This letter can be used to confirm the outcome of consultation with the requester.

  • Template letter 10: Releasing the information in an alternative form

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Information can be released in an alternative form if meeting the requester's preference would impair the efficient administration of the agency. This letter can be used as a basis for conveying that decision.

  • Template letter 11: Refusal letter under section 18(f) OIA / section 17(f) LGOIMA

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this letter when you need to refuse a request for official information because it would require substantial collation or research.

  • Template letter 12: Refusal letter under section 18(d) OIA / section 17(d) LGOIMA—Information publicly available

    Template letters and worksheets, Template letters
    Use this letter when you need to refuse a request for official information because the information is publicly available.