Resources and publications
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Search our guides, case notes, opinions, reports and other information. Our 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.
96 Resources Show all
Chief Ombudsman revisits Not a game of hide and seek
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman is launching a new inquiry into whether central government agencies have addressed any weaknesses identified in a landmark investigation five years ago.Tauranga and Porirua City Councils in next round of LGOIMA practice investigations
Outreach, Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has announced a further two self-initiated investigations into the official information practices of selected councils.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.Chief Ombudsman: new report ‘wakeup call’ for council leaders
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman says his latest report into official information practice at local authorities is a wakeup call for all council leaders about the importance of an open and transparent workplace culture – and their accountability for achieving that.Next round of LGOIMA practice investigations underway
Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has commenced another round of self-initiated investigations into the official information practices of selected councils.Chief Ombudsman releases opinion concerning Let's Get Wellington Moving letter
Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier today released his Final Opinion on a complaint about the withholding of a letter written by Green MP and Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter.Legal framework for Chief Ombudsman’s inspections of health & disability facilities
FactsheetsInspecting places of detention helps to ensure that people who are deprived of their liberty are treated humanely, and their rights are protected and restored.Orientation visits: First step in developing aged care inspections programme
FactsheetsOur first step in developing our new inspections programme is to familiarise ourselves with privately-run aged care facilities.OPCAT aged care inspections programme
FactsheetsAnnual Report highlights a pleasing year
Media releasesPublic sector agencies are increasingly making use of advice and resources from the Ombudsman.Ombudsman releases Community attitudes towards freedom of information survey
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says too many New Zealanders are unaware of their rights to request information from Ministers, government agencies and Councils.Right to know essential to democracy in a digital world
Media releasesInformation Access Commissioners and Ombudsmen from across Australia and New Zealand are urging government agencies to do more to make information available for the benefit of citizens.Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Winter 2019
Outreach, Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:Latest OIA, and first set of LGOIMA data, released by the Ombudsman
Outreach, Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has released his latest OIA data, and, for the first time, the equivalent data for the LGOIMA.Unintended consequences for prisoners as Northland continues with old regime
Outreach, Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says the Northland Regional Corrections Facility is persisting with policies that are preventing it from achieving its full potential. Mr Boshier says the Northland Regional Corrections Facility has changed focus.Fact sheet: Aged care monitoring
FactsheetsThis fact sheet sets out why the Ombudsman is monitoring privately-run aged care facilities, and how the monitoring will differ from existing audits and reviews.Ombudsman releases report on LGOIMA practice at Auckland Council
Outreach, Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his report into Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) compliance and practice at New Zealand's largest local authority.Ombudsman releases report on LGOIMA practice at Far North District Council
Outreach, Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his report into Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) compliance and practice at Far North District Council.Your OIA rights and responsibilities
SpeechesOn 13 July, Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier addressed around 800 delegates at the New Zealand School Trustees Association’s annual conference. Here is his speech.Training in the Pacific
Media releasesFourteen representatives from seven Pacific countries will undertake Ombudsman investigator training in Fiji next week.Chief Ombudsman releases final opinion on East Lake Trust/Regenerate Christchurch case
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has found that Regenerate Christchurch did not act unlawfully or unreasonably in relation to a complaint from the East Lake Trust regarding the Ōtākaro/Avon River Regeneration Area Plan.Follow up inspection finds improvements at Otago Corrections Facility
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier has released his report of a follow up inspection of Otago Corrections Facility (OCF).Ombudsman releases first LGOIMA investigation report
Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published the results of his first investigation into how our local authorities are working with the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA).Chief Ombudsman to conduct wide-ranging investigation into the removal of newborn babies
Media releasesChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is conducting his own wide-ranging and independent investigation into the steps Oranga Tamariki takes when newborn babies are removed.Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Autumn 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Autumn 2019 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now.Fact sheet: Oranga Tamariki
FactsheetsThis fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against Oranga Tamariki. Also available in Easy Read format.Hawke’s Bay prisoners’ conditions and treatment improving
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison has made significant progress towards improving prisoners’ safety but has been slow to improve conditions for remand and at risk prisoners.Changes to the LGOIMA, including ‘working day’ definition
Media releasesChanges to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) which came into effect on 21 March 2019 will affect ‘working day’ calculations for LGOIMA.Message from the Chief Ombudsman - 19 March 2019
Media releasesA message from the Chief Ombudsman regarding the events in Christchurch and potential agency delays.Have your say on the OIA
Media releasesThe Ministry of Justice is seeking submissions for a consultation on the OIA.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Summer 2019 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now. Read about: what guidance materials people told us they use from our website; some of the questions we were asked at this year’s select committee hearing; which former staff member was awarded a knighthood.Latest OIA data released by the Ombudsman – LGOIMA data to be released in September
Media releasesThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier today released his latest Official Information Act data, which shows a 34% rise in complaints received by his office since the data was first published two-and-a-half years ago.