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.
18 Resources Show all
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 deceasedProcessing 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.Commercial information work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet is about the most commonly used grounds for withholding commercial information—unreasonable prejudice to a third party’s commercial position, and prejudice or disadvantage to an agency’s commercial activities.Negotiations work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is good reason to withhold official information under the negotiations withholding ground.Work sheet for dealing with public tender information
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis work sheet summarises guidance on dealing with public tender-related information, including responding to OIA / LGOIMA requests for such information.Third party consultation work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis work sheet takes you through the process of consulting an external third party on an OIA request.Information not held work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is a proper basis for refusing a request for official information because the document does not exist / cannot be found or the information is not held.Work sheet for dealing with OIA requests that involve Ministers
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet takes you through the process of dealing with OIA requests that involve a Minister.Work sheet for dealing with administratively challenging requests
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet takes you through the process of dealing with administratively challenging official information requests.Public interest work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet takes you through the public interest test in section 9(1) of the OIA / section 7(1) of the LGOIMA.Confidential advice to Government work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, 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)(f)(iv) of the OIA, in order to maintain the constitutional convention protecting the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers and officials.Free and frank opinions work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is good reason to withhold official information in order to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions.Charging work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet takes you through the process of deciding whether or not to charge for the supply of official information, and if so, how much.Potentially frivolous or vexatious requests work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is a proper basis for refusing a request for official information under section 18(f) of the OIA / 17(f) of the LGOIMA, because the request is frivolous or vexatious.Publicly available information work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is a proper basis for refusing a request for official information under section 18(d) of the OIA / 17(d) of the LGOIMA, because the requested information is or will soon be publicly available.Sample estimate of costs
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis sample estimate of costs can be used to help calculate a charge for supplying official information, and be provided to the requester.Model protocol on dealing with OIA requests involving Ministers
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis model protocol can be used and adapted by Ministers and agencies to agree on clear and transparent processes for dealing with OIA requests involving the Minister.