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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.
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Contains our media releases, newsletters, pamphlets, speeches and fact sheets. Fact sheets are published in multiple language and accessible formats.
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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.
112 Resources Show all
Kia Whaitake | Making a Difference: Investigation into Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections
Systemic investigationsChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier released Kia Whaitake | Making a Difference following his self-initiated investigation into how Ara Poutama Aotearoa | the Department of Corrections has responded to repeated calls for improvements in the way prisoners are treated.OIPI systemic investigation - Terms of Reference
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThese documents outline the terms of reference for Official Information Practice Investigations systemic investigation into seven agencies' compliance, processes and practices.OIA compliance and practice in Accident Compensation Corporation
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Department of Corrections 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Education 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Health 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Justice 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Social Development 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Transport 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in New Zealand Customs Service 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in New Zealand Defence Force 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice at Waka Kotahi 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Te Kawa Mataaho 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.Ready or not? OIA compliance and practice in 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman’s investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies uncovers significant gaps in the way agencies are responding to journalists, training staff and keeping records.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.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.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 cThematic report on inspections of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary This report outlines my key observations and recommendations in relation to six MIQ Facilities inspected between October and December 2020.Report on an unannounced inspection of Stanford House, Whanganui 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 clieReport on an unannounced inspection of Te Awhina, Whanganui 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 tāng