Resources and publications
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Search guides, case notes, opinions, reports and other information. Resources and publications can also be searched by date and other options.
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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.
948 Resources Show all
Requests to Ministry of Health and ESR for Covid-19 cycle threshold values
Case notesRequest for information about Covid-19 testing results (cycle threshold values of every positive Covid-19 test)— Ombudsman accepted that the Covid-19 response is a measure to protect public health and safety — However, the harm of releasing data wasJoint Council Committees decision to exclude public from meeting not justified
Case notesPublic excluded from meeting under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 – Ombudsman found that application of section 48(1) not justified – the likelihood of harm to the Councils’ commercial operations andUnreasonable advice about decision to exclude public: Licensing Trust
Case notesPublic excluded from meeting under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 – Ombudsman found that Trust acted unreasonably — no clear basis for advice provided by Chief Executive that public should be excludeDelay in responding to a request for information about cannabis-related medicines
Case notesFailure by the Ministry of Health to make and communicate a decision on a request for official information within extended time limit— contrary to law— decision to extend the time limit also unreasonableRequests for vaccine pricing and contracted delivery schedules
Case notesRequest for information about vaccine pricing and delivery schedules – information subject to an obligation of confidence in terms of section 9(2)(ba)(ii) – the interest in withholding the information not outweighed by the public interest in release.Unreasonable extension of time limit for internal consultations
Case notesRequest for information about OIA statistics—extension to time limit for responding to request – notified on basis of need to undertake consultations—internal review and sign-out process is part of making a decision and not consultation for the purpose of s15A – decision to extend unreasonableRequest for information concerning increase in number of cochlear implants
Case notesSection 9(2)(f)(iv) OIA applied to costing information and detailed analysis regarding unsuccessful Budget 2020 bid which had been resubmitted for consideration through the 2021 Budget process – small amount of high level information about the existMisunderstanding that led to decision to refuse to issue a Code Compliance Certificate
Case notesDecision by the Council to decline to issue a Code Compliance Certificate for solid fuel heater – Ombudsman inquiries with the Council resulted in the decision being reversed, the Council obtaining the necessary outstanding document from the contractors, and an apology being given to the complainant – complaint resolved without need for formal investigationDecisions to decline MIQ medical needs exemptions were not unreasonable
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman investigated two complaints in late 2020 about the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s decisions to decline the complainants’ requests for medical needs exemptions from Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) requirementRequest for Ministry of Health Legal Opinion
Case notesSection 9(2)(h) applied to a Health Legal opinion relied on by Health and Disability Ethics Committee when making its decision to decline a research study application—privilege held by the Crown—no implied waiver although finely balanced—strong publUnreasonable decisions by INZ on Post-Study work visa applications
Case notesImmigration New Zealand applied an interpretation of immigration instructions not reflected in guidance to applicants - Post-Study work visa – open was granted for one year instead of three – INZ relied on an amendment circular to preclude eligibiliBoard of Trustees decision to expel student on basis of gross misconduct not justified
Case notesStudent expelled after isolated incident – Ombudsman found that the family were not given the full opportunity to respond to the allegations, and the Board’s minutes did not show how the decision was arrived at – Ombudsman not convinced that the incDelay in responding to request for certain briefings
Case notesFailure by the Minister for Courts to make and communicate his decision on a request for official information within extended time limit— contrary to lawNew case note – Complaints about Immigration New Zealand
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman has issued a case note which highlights a number of complaints about Immigration New Zealand’s decision-making on Skilled Migrant Category residence visa applications and the Employment Visa Escalation Scheme.Unreasonable actions throughout dealings with custodial caregiver
Case notesUse of incorrect, unverified information—failure to perform due diligence before removing mokopuna from grandmother—inadequate review of case, and inadequate response to review—failure to work with complainant in a way that met her needs as wEarly resolution of a toll fee imposed on previous vehicle owner
Case notesToll fee charged by Waka Kotahi to a previous vehicle owner who had left the country — Ombudsman inquiries with Waka Kotahi resulted in the toll fee being waived —complaint resolved without need for formal investigationWorkSafe’s decision not to formally investigate an incident
Case notesComplaint about WorkSafe’s decision not to investigate and lay charges following an accident causing injury – failure to consider all relevant information – failure to engage meaningfully with the complainant – no evidence that documents had been faRequest for unredacted submissions on the Victoria University of Wellington name simplification proposal
Case notesRequest for copies of submissions made to Victoria University on its name simplification proposal – the University did not consult appropriately with the submitters before it published the submissions – submissions published with identifying detailsEarly resolution of decision to decline COVID-19 Wage Subsidy application
Case notesApplication for COVID-19 wage subsidy declined by Ministry of Social Development, even though complainant had registered as self-employed before the relevant date—Ombudsman inquiries with Ministry resulted in approval of application—complaint resolvRequest for information about volunteer rural constabulary programme
Case notesSection 9(2)(f)(iv) OIA applied to briefing from New Zealand Police to Minister—negotiations between coalition partners were still required, and disclosure would have prejudiced the orderly and effective conduct of the Government’s decision making proceDelay in responding to request for information about the Invited Visitor Policy and sponsorship
Case notesFailure by Antarctica New Zealand to make and communicate its decision on a request for official information within extended time limit—this appeared to be contrary to law—deemed to be a refusal under s 28(4)(b) OIA—investigation of deemed refusal commeConsultation on health and safety processes for Managed Isolation Facility
Case notesComplaint about level of consultation with residents before Stamford Plaza Hotel became a Managed Isolation Facility—Chief Ombudsman found that the Department did not consult appropriately with the residents before this occurred—the Department also didRequest for names of clusters that COVID-19 cases were linked to
Case notesSection 18(c)(i) OIA applied—release would be contrary to s 92ZZG(2) Health Act 1956— discretion to use or disclose contact tracing information for the ‘effective management of infectious diseases’—exercise of discretion reviewed under the Ombudsmen ActUse of incorrect information, lack of trauma-informed practice, failure to assess children’s safety
Case notesRepeated use of incorrect, unverified information about a mother, including at Family Court—failure to assess safety of children—lack of trauma-informed practice—poor complaints handling process and inadequate apologyTreatment of disabled mother and removal of newborn child
Case notesOutcome The Chief Ombudsman formed the opinion that Child, Youth and Family, then as part of the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry), had acted unreasonably in its treatment of the child’s mother.Complaint about the reimbursement of costs when attending the Chief Executive’s Advisory Panel
Case notesComplaint about Oranga Tamariki's (the Ministry) Chief Executive’s Advisory Panel’s process for reimbursement of costs - complainant was not informed of the process - Ombudsman suggested an update to the information sheet provided to attendeesComplaint from a young person in a Care and Protection Residence
Case notesComplaint from young person in Care and Protection Residence - Planning for placement outside Residence and communication about this unreasonable - Placement in Residence to be a last resort and for as short a time as possible - Placement found during iCancellation of access between mother and son due to COVID Alert Level 4 lockdown
Case notesCancellation of face-to-face access due to lockdown - Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry) applied blanket rule not required by the Health Act Notices and failed to consider individual circumstances - Access reinstated so Chief Ombudsman recommended apologyRequest for email between journalist and source
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA did not apply—one party consented to release—both parties acting in their professional capacities—information already in the public domain—s 9(2)(ba)(ii) did not apply—no blanket confidentiality for all communications with journalistDecision not to return bear skin specimen, surrendered pursuant to section 27(2) of the Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989
Case notesImportation of bear skin into New Zealand without a permit, resulting in its surrender under section 27(2) of the Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989 (TIES) – whether the Department of Conservation gave reasonable consideration to exercising its discreRequest for MSD historic claims guidebook
Case notesComplaint about the decision to withhold a document containing procedures and guidance under section 9(2)(j) of the Official Information Act—section 9(2)(j) did not apply—engagements conducted on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis are not clearly ‘negotiatioFull Practice review of social work practice after notification of investigation
Case notesComplaint about Oranga Tamariki’s (the Ministry) apparent failure to protect a vulnerable child—the Ministry reviewed the complaint after notification of investigation and began a full case review - Chief Ombudsman felt this was a satisfactory resolutio