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.
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.
937 Resources Show all
Decisions 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) requirementUnreasonable 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 eligibiliDelay 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 plans 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 ActTreatment 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.Use 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 apologyComplaint 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 resolutioDecision to implement locked cell policy
Case notesComplaint about the negative effects of implementing a locked cell policy in the Kaaka North and South pods at Northland Region Corrections Facility – Chief Ombudsman found that the implementation was unreasonable – the significant consequences (lack ofDecision to release tender information in response to Official Information Act request
Case notesComplaint about a decision to release information under the Official Information Act—Ministry consulted adequately with affected party—Ministry took into account affected party’s submissions, all relevant considerations, principle of availability, legisExtension of time limit to enable kanohi ki te kanohi consultation
Case notesExtension to enable kanohi ki te kanohi consultation on OIA request reasonable in the circumstancesRequest for record of ‘without prejudice’ meeting
Case notesSection 7(2)(g) LGOIMA did not apply—‘without prejudice’ privilege is not an aspect of legal professional privilege—s 7(2)(c)(ii) applied—obligation of confidence attaches to information subject to without prejudice privilege—release would make people rFailure to appropriately apply Protected Disclosures Act
Case notesThe complainant made protected disclosures about health and safety issues in her workplace – she left the job after the employer found her disclosures to be serious misconduct - employer reported it to professional body - body found she did not meet proRequest for average remuneration of 10 highest paid staff broken down by gender
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA applied—small numbers in top 10 meant there was a real likelihood release could reveal fairly accurate salary information about identifiable individuals—withholding necessary to protect their privacy—s 9(2)(i) did not apply—insufficiCall to avoid the pending removal of a newborn baby
Case notesPending removal of newborn from hospital by Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry) - family now willing and able to care for baby - Inquiries made and the Ministry able to make alternative arrangements—baby discharged from hospital with familyDecision not to accept marriage certificate as proof of surname change
Case notesInland Revenue (IR) refused to accept marriage certificate as proof of name change—as a result of preliminary inquiries IR reinstated its policy of accepting marriage certificates as proof of name change, and updated the complainant’s name—complaint resRequest for information about death in custody
Case notesRequest for all correspondence about death in custody—unreasonable to rely on sections 9(2)(a) and 9(2)(ba)(i) without compiling and reviewing the information—subsequent reliance on section 18(f) (substantial collation or research) also unjustified—Ex-gratia payment for superannuitant in receipt of overseas pension
Case notesRequest by superannuitant for ex-gratia payment for deduction of voluntary component of overseas pension from New Zealand superannuation – Ministry of Social Development failed to advise superannuitant of discretion to defer commencement of deductio