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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.
171 Resources Show all
Expectations for conditions and treatment of tāngata whaikaha in health and disability places of detention (intellectual disability and community secure services)
OPCATThe Ombudsman is designated to examine and monitor the treatment of persons in health and disability places of detention, including tāngata whaikaha in intellectual disability and community secure services.Expectations for conditions and treatment of residents in health and disability places of detention (aged residential care)
OPCATThe Ombudsman is designated to examine and monitor the treatment of persons in health and disability places of detention, including residents in aged residential care.OIA and LGOIMA complaints received between 1 July and 31 December 2023
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.Expectations for conditions and treatment of tāngata whai ora in health and disability places of detention
OPCATAs the Chief Ombudsman, I am designated to examine and monitor the treatment of persons detained in health and disability places of detention.[1] This includes mental health services where people are unable to leave at will.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa – Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre
OPCAT reportsOn 27 July 2022, a team of two Inspectors made an announced one-day follow up inspection of Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa – Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Matawhāiti Residence under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExcerpt from recommendations I am making one repeat recommendation, one amended recommendation, and three new recommendations based on my 2022 inspection.Report on an announced targeted inspection of Manawatu Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExcerpt from Recommendations I make the following recommendations for improving the conditions and treatment of those in the Prison:Accessibility Strategy and Action Plan
Disability rights projectsListen to an audio recording of the overview Watch an the overview in New Zealand Sign LanguageOIA and LGOIMA complaints received between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2023
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.Summary of the Ombudsman's submission to the United Nations Committee against Torture
OPCATKey themes for the Committee’s consideration In the period between the Committee against Torture’s last review of New Zealand in 2015 and the present, I have conducted over 500 visits to places of detention.Report on an announced targeted inspection of Arohata Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCATIntroduction Following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), as designated under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Report on an announced targeted inspection of Christchurch Women’s Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCATIntroduction Following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), as designated under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Expectations for conditions and treatment of people in custody of the Department of Corrections
OPCATThe Ombudsman is designated to examine and monitor the treatment of persons in prisons, otherwise in the custody of the Ara Poutama Aotearoa – Department of Corrections (Corrections), and residences established under section 114 of the Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Act 2014.OIA and LGOIMA complaints received 1 July - 31 December 2022
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.OIA and LGOIMA complaints received 1 Jan - 30 June 2022
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.Report on an announced inspection of Pohutukawa Forensic Intellectual Disability Unit, Mason Clinic, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsBetween 12 and 15 April 2021, three Inspectors — whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf — made an announced inspection of Pohutukawa Forensic Intellectual Disability Unit (the Unit), within the Mason Clinic, located in Point Chevalier, Auckland.Report on an unannounced inspection of Otago Corrections Facility under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis report examines the conditions and treatment of prisoners detained in Otago Corrections Facility. I authorised my Inspectors to conduct a seven-day inspection of the Prison from 5 October to 11 October 2020.Report on an unannounced inspection of Ward 21, Palmerston North Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsBetween 18 and 21 May 2021, 2 Inspectors — whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf — made an unannounced four day inspection of Ward 21, Palmerston North Hospital.Report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Toki Maurere Unit, Whakatāne Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis report sets out my findings and recommendations concerning the treatment and conditions of people detained in Te Toki Maurere Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (the Unit), which was inspected between 26 and 28 July 2021.Report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Whare Maiangiangi Unit, Tauranga Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 Primary tabs
OPCATThis report sets out my findings and recommendations concerning the conditions and treatment of people detained in Te Whare Maiangiangi Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (the Unit), which was inspected on 16 and 17 August 2021.OPCAT Report: Thematic report on inspections of secure intellectual disability facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis report provides a summary of my findings and recommendations in relation to inspections conducted between 14 August 2019 and 4 June 2020 of 17 secure residences where people with intellectual disabilities were detained. At the time of my inspections in June 2020, New Zealand was at COVID-19 Alert Level 2.OIA and LGOIMA complaints July - December 2021
Complaints dataThis data lists the Minister or agency involved, the nature of the complaint, and whether the complaint came from a private individual, the media, a political party or other type of organisation.Report on an unannounced inspection of Ward 6C, Dunedin Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of patiReport on an unannounced inspection of Ward 10a and Helensburgh Cottage, Wakari Hospital Dunedin, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsBetween 3 and 7 May 2021, two Inspectors made an unannounced inspection of Ward 10a and the Helensburgh Cottage, which are located in the grounds of Wakari Hospital, Dunedin.Report on an announced inspection of Manaakitanga Inpatient Unit, Te Nīkau Grey Base Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsBetween 20 and 23 April 2021, two inspectors, whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf, made an announced inspection of Manaakitanga Inpatient Unit (the Unit), which is located in the grounds of Te Nīkau Grey Base Hospital, Greymouth.Report on an unannounced inspection of Wāhi Oranga Mental Health Admission Unit, Nelson Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsBetween 29 March and 1 April 2021, Inspectors made an unannounced inspection of Wāhi Oranga Mental Health Admission Unit, which is located in the grounds of Nelson Hospital, Braemer Campus, Nelson.Report on an unannounced inspection of the Fraser McDonald Unit, Auckland District Health Board, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsFrom 21 to 25 June 2021 (inclusive), Inspectors — whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf — made an unannounced inspection of the Fraser McDonald Unit, which is located in the grounds of Auckland City Hospital.Report on an unannounced inspection of Tāwhirimātea Rehabilitation Unit, Rātonga-Rua-O-Porirua Campus, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of cReport on an unannounced inspection of Pūrehurehu Forensic Acute Mental Health Unit, Rātonga-Rua-O-Porirua Campus, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of pReport on an unannounced inspection of Haumietiketike Unit, Rātonga-Rua-O-Porirua Campus, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of cReport on an unannounced inspection of Rangipapa Forensic Acute Mental Health Unit, Rātonga-Rua-O-Porirua Campus, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of cOIA and LGOIMA complaints January - June 2021
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis. Complaints received