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.
68 Resources Show all
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 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 ActTreatment 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.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.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 ‘negotiatioFull practice review of social work practice after notification of investigation
Case notesA complaint was lodged with the Chief Ombudsman from a couple about a child, who was in the custody of Oranga Tamariki and living with their birth mother. The couple had made several complaints to Oranga Tamariki expressing concern for the child’s safety.Decision 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 pēpi
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a call from a mother who had recently given birth. She and her baby were still in hospital, but baby was about to be discharged, and removed by Oranga Tamariki from the hospital.Decision 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—Local Authority unreasonably failed to consult with residents about building relocation
Case notesLocal Authority allowed relocation of building without providing for adequate consultation process with the local community—Ombudsman upheld complaintMaking disability rights real 2011/2012
Reports, Disability rights reportsThis is the first report of the Independent Monitoring Mechanism of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.Request for information about a Department’s employment operations
Case notesPre-cast concrete operation is a commercial activity—s 9(2)(i) appliesRequest for emails between Costamare and Maritime New Zealand regarding the MV Rena
Case notesReleasing emails between the parties during the negotiations would prejudice willingness of the parties to participate in the negotiation in an open manner—s 9(2)(j) appliesRequest for salvage plan relating to MV Rena
Case notesRevealing salvage company’s detailed methodology would give other companies a competitive advantage in future tenders, which would be likely unreasonably to prejudice its commercial position—s 9(2)(b)(ii) appliesRequest for advice about SkyCity convention centre
Case notesNecessary to withhold strategy and bottom lines to enable the Crown to carry on negotiations with SkyCity—s 9(2)(j) applies