Resources and publications
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.
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.
73 Resources Show all
Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2024
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review for Summer 2024 is out now. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue the Chief Ombudsman calls for council workshops to be open by default; the Ombudsman’s new accessibility strategy; an overview of the Ombudsman’s engagements both locally and abroad; and a round up of the most popular guides on our website.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Winter 2023 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Autumn 2023 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: a first for a NZ Ombudsman at Waitangi, an illuminating piece from the architect of the Official Information Act, international news from integrity organisations in the Pacific and Australasia, new case notes and more.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Spring 2022 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. It includes Govt agencies receive OIA report card, Oranga Tamariki’s “litany of failures” in Malachi Subecz case, Ombudsman’s disability rights role featured at the UN, 60 years of the Ombudsman in NZ, and more.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Winter 2022 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. It includes an opinion piece from Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier on the OIA and LGOIMA, Mr Boshier’s submission to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission, a systemic investigation into the use of workshops by local councils is announced, and a stronger approach to delay deemed refusal complaints.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)This edition includes Ombudsman’s opinion on the Erebus Memorial consultation process, third report highlights overrepresentation of Māori in mental health seclusion, Chief Ombudsman elected as Second Vice President of IOI, council not entitled to withhold internal workshop presentation.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue 2022 marks 60 years since the first New Zealand Ombudsman was sworn in, Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier gravely concerned by volatile environment at intellectual disability facility, Peter Boshier reaffirms the Ombudsman’s commitment to Te Tiriti during Waitangi, Guide on regulatory policy design during COVID-19, New case notes and more.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for Spring 2021 is out. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review (OQR) for Winter 2021 is out. In this edition:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for Autumn 2021 is out. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for summer 2021 is out. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for spring 2020 is out. In this issue:Confidentiality work sheet
Worksheets and other resourcesThis 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 informaPrivacy worksheet
Worksheets and other resourcesThis 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 deceasedOmbudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for winter 2020 is out. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: how our Office responded to lockdown COVID-19 inspections of prisons and care homes complaints resolution—avoiding a backlog Chief Ombudsman’s term renewed.Processing requests for names of public sector employees work sheet
Worksheets and other resourcesThe 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.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:Ombudsman 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.Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Winter 2019
Outreach, Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Autumn 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Autumn 2019 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now.Template letter 1: Acknowledgement letter
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse 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 lettersUse 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 lettersUse 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 lettersUse 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 lettersUse 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.Template letter 6: Letter communicating the decision on a request
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter to make and communicate the decision on a request for official information.Template letter 7: Charging letter
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse 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 lettersAgencies 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 lettersThis letter can be used to confirm the outcome of consultation with the requester.