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  • Report on an unannounced follow-up inspection of Arohata Prison

    OPCAT reports
    In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the general conditions and treatment of detainees in New Zealand prisons.
  • Report on an unannounced follow-up inspection of Manawatu Prison

    OPCAT reports
    In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the general conditions and treatment of detainees in New Zealand prisons.
  • Report on an unannounced follow-up inspection of Rolleston Prison

    OPCAT reports
    In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the general conditions and treatment of detainees in New Zealand prisons.
  • Report on an unannounced inspection of Christchurch Men's Prison

    OPCAT reports
    Christchurch Prison is one of New Zealand’s larger prisons, and the largest in the South Island.
  • OIA complaints completed 1 January to 30 June 2017

    Complaints data
    The Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.
  • OIA complaints received 1 January to 30 June 2017

    Complaints data
    The Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.
  • Report on an unannounced inspection of Spring Hill Corrections Facility

    OPCAT reports
    Spring Hill Corrections Facility (the Prison) opened in 2007. The Prison accommodates male prisoners with security classifications ranging from minimum to high, as well as a growing remand population. Currently, it has an operating capacity of 1038.
  • Report on an unannounced inspection of Hawke's Bay Regional Prison

    OPCAT reports
    Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison was opened in 1989. The Prison accommodates male prisoners with security classifications ranging from minimum to high, as well as a growing remand population.
  • Disclosure: An investigation into the Ministry of Education's engagement processes for school closures and mergers

    Systemic investigations
  • A question of restraint - Care and management for prisoners considered to be at risk of suicide and self-harm

    OPCAT reports
    In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the general conditions and treatment of detainees in New Zealand prisons. This report details observations and findings relating to prisoners who have been considered at risk of suicide and self-harm, who are managed in At-Risk Units (ARUs) in New Zealand prisons; and focuses on the comprehensive inspections of five prison sites.
  • OIA complaints completed 1 July - 31 December 2016

    Complaints data
    The Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.
  • OIA complaints received 1 July - 31 December 2016

    Complaints data
    The Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.
  • OPCAT Annual Report 2015/2016

    OPCAT reports
    2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). This is a significant milestone. OPCAT is an innovative and proactive system.
  • Investigation into Ministry of Education's management of OIA requests about proposed school closures

    Systemic investigations
    This is the report on my investigation under section 13(3) of the Ombudsmen Act into aspects of the Ministry of Education’s management of official information requests about the proposed closure of schools in Christchurch.
  • Making disability rights real 2011/2012

    Reports, Disability rights reports
    This is the first report of the Independent Monitoring Mechanism of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  • Good decision making

    Good administration
    This guide sets out key information about good decision making by agencies, including the role of a decision maker, who has the power to make a decision, how to make good decisions, how to give a statement of reasons and good record-keeping.
  • Managing unreasonable complainant conduct

    Good administration
    This manual is designed to help agencies and their staff take a systematic and consistent approach to managing their interactions with complainants. It provides a series of suggestions and strategies to assist all staff members – not just frontline staff – to deal with unreasonable complainant conduct.
  • OPCAT Annual Report 2011/2012

    OPCAT reports
    New Zealand has a strong human rights reputation internationally and we should strive to strengthen this. Our human rights record affects our ability to trade and to speak and participate credibly in world affairs.
  • Good complaints handling by school boards

    Good administration
    This guide sets out the key ‘need to know’ information about good complaints handling by school boards. It also explains the Ombudsman’s role in relation to complaints about the administrative conduct of schools.
  • Local authority events funding

    Official information
    This guide sets out principles applying to requests for information about events funding by local authorities, including the reasons for withholding and the public interest in release.
  • Investigation of the Department of Corrections in relation to the provision, access and availability of prisoner health services

    Systemic investigations
    This own motion report, unlike others we have undertaken, did not arise from specific incidents within the prison system, nor from the number of complaints we receive from prisoners.  Our investigation has identified that prisoners have reasonable access to Health Services and generally they receive healthcare equivalent to members of the wider community. However, the service is not without its problems and in the future, it may not be able to meet the healthcare needs of such a diverse population effectively.
  • Submission of the Ombudsmen - Mixed Ownership Model Bill

    Submissions
    Our submission concerns clauses 6 and 7 of the Mixed Ownership Model (MOM) Bill, which remove the MOM companies from being subject to the OA and OIA.  These Acts are important accountabil
  • Submission of the Ombudsmen - Corrections Amendment Bill

    Submissions
    We had a limited opportunity to comment on the draft Corrections Amendment Bill (the Bill) and some amendments were made as a consequence of our submissions.  However, there remain other matters which concern us.