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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.
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Contains our media releases, newsletters, pamphlets, speeches and fact sheets. Fact sheets are published in multiple language and accessible formats.
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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.
52 Resources Show all
Report on an unannounced inspection of Matawhāiti Residence under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThe following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Final report on an unannounced inspection of Auckland Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThe following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).WorkSafe’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 detailsReport on an unannounced inspection of Te Whetu Tāwera Adult Acute Mental Health Unit, Auckland City Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of sEarly 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 didOIA and LGOIMA complaints January - June 2020
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.OPCAT: Ombudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities
OPCAT, FactsheetsOmbudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities Update: August 2020Report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Whare o Matairangi Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Wellington Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Report on an unannounced inspection of He Puna Wāiora Mental Health Inpatient Unit, North Shore Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treReport on an unannounced inspection of Waiatarau Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Waitakere Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treReport on an unannounced inspection of Tumanako Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Whangarei Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treReport on an unannounced inspection of the Kensington Centre Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Timaru, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treFinal report on an unannounced inspection of Waikeria Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThe following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).OPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of aged care facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary This report outlines my key findings, suggestions, and recommendations in relation to OPCAT COVID-19 inspections of six secure aged care facilities[1] (the Facilities) between 17 April and 8 May 2020.He Take Kōhukihuki | A Matter of Urgency
Systemic investigationsExecutive summary My investigation The role of Oranga Tamariki—the Ministry for Children (the Ministry) is to promote the wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau.Request 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 ActOff the Record: An investigation into the Ministry of Health’s collection, use, and reporting of information about the deaths of people with intellectual disabilities
Systemic investigationsExecutive summary The investigation New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities have overall poorer health outcomes compared to people without intellectual disabilities, despite higher than average use of health services.Treatment of disabled mother and uplift of newborn pēpi
Case notesIn 2014, Child, Youth and Family (CYF), then part of the Ministry of Social Development removed a five-day-old child from its disabled mother, while she remained in hospital.Use of incorrect information, lack of trauma-informed practice, failure to assess children’s safety
Case notesIn 2019, a caregiver made a complaint to Oranga Tamariki. Their complaint concerned the use of incorrect information by Oranga Tamariki about them, its failure to properly assess the safety of their youngest children, and record-keeping errors.Making Disability Rights Real 2014 - 2019
Disability rights reportsExecutive Summary New Zealand has a mixed record when it comes to the rights of disabled people.OPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of prisons under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary This report outlines my key findings and recommendations in relation to nine prisons inspected during the period of 29 April 2020 to 8 May 2020.Complaint from a rangatahi in a Care and Protection Residence
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint from a rangatahi in a Care and Protection Residence. The young person had previously been in the residence for 18 months, and this was now their second time there.Cancellation of access between parent and rangatahi due to COVID lockdown
Case notesThe complainant was the parent of a rangatahi in the care of Oranga Tamariki. The parent ordinarily had overnight, unsupervised access with the rangatahi each week. The parent lived alone, and the rangatahi lived elsewhere in the same city.Complaint about the reimbursement of costs when attending the Chief Executive’s Advisory Panel
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint about the reimbursement of reasonable costs for a complainant attending the Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive’s Advisory Panel in Wellington.OPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of mental health facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary This report outlines my key findings and recommendations in relation to the five inspections of mental health and addiction facilities (the Facilities) during the period 29 April 2020 – 6 May 2020.Request 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 ‘negotiatio