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.
24 Resources Show all
Investigation into Horowhenua District Council’s email quarantining practice
OpinionsBetween 2011 and 2017, the Horowhenua District Council kept a list of people whose emails were deemed to pose a risk to staff. This list included the names of some of the Council’s own elected officials.Annual Report 2017/2018
Annual reportsIn the past year, we have made some excellent progress in key areas, none more so than by clearing our backlog of complaints, a bugbear both for us and the public. We have been quicker and more efficient in resolving complaints, but with no reduction in the quality or efficacy of our work. Specific cases we have dealt with this year are contained in this report, and they showcase the breadth and depth of the work we are tasked to undertake.Auckland Council’s processing of a request for official information
OpinionsI have investigated an Ombudsmen Act (OA) complaint by Radio New Zealand (RNZ) about the way in which Auckland Council processed its request for information under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA).Request for list of buildings whose owners had not responded to Council’s requests for information about non-ductile columns
OpinionsFollowing the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) carried out a review to identify buildings with certain features which were suspected of having contributed to the collapse of the Canterbury Television (CTV) building and the loss of 115 lives.Request for information about staff grievances and allegations of bullying
OpinionsSam Sherwood, on behalf of Stuff, made a request to Selwyn District Council for information about staff grievances and allegations of bullying.Investigation into aircraft landing limits on Ngapunatoru Plateau
OpinionsTo address the growing tourist demand for scenic aircraft landings, in February 2016 the Department of Conservation decided to ‘trial’ raising the daily aircraft landing limits on the Ngapunatoru Plateau. The Ombudsman decided this was unreasonable as it didn't comply with their management plan for the park.Chief Ombudsman’s opinion on OIA requests about Operation Burnham
OpinionsFollowing the publication of the book Hit & Run in March 2017, a number of people made requests under the Official Information Act (OIA) to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for information about Operation Burnham.Investigation into Ministry of Health offer of ex gratia payment
OpinionsOn 27 October 2016, I concluded an Ombudsmen Act investigation into a complaint by Cliff Robinson about the decision of the Ministry of Health’s Individual Review Panel to reduce Mr Robinson’s Funded Family Care from 40 hours a week to 29.5.Request for information held by Ministry of Justice relating to investigation by Hon Ian Binnie QC into David Bain’s compensation claim
OpinionsIn December 2011 a Fairfax Media journalist requested the Minister of Justice to provide –Request for information relating to Bureau of Meteorology of Australia peer-review of National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research report on ‘Seven-Station Temperature Series’
OpinionsThe complainant made requests to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) for information it held relating to communications between NIWA and the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia) (BoM) concerning the peer review by BoM of iAnnual Report 2014/2015 - at a glance
Annual reportsThis document shows our Annual Report for 2014/2015 at a glance.Annual Report 2014/2015 - full report
Annual reportsBy 2006 it was becoming clear that we could not sustain the business model we were then operating and the late John Belgrave, then Chief Ombudsman, challenged us to reflect on the theme “Where is the Office Going?” So we began what has seemed like a long journey to modernise the Office.Access to view taser camera footage of 47 incidents where the taser was discharged
OpinionsSummary This opinion relates to a media request to Police to view the camera footage of all incidents where a person was tasered by a police officer.Investigation of refusal to provide information about staff working on vaccine approvals and immunisation programmes
OpinionsThe requester made several requests for a range of information related to vaccine approval processes, including details of Ministry of Health staff working on vaccine approvals.Request for ballistic evidence report provided by Victoria Forensic Science Centre for David Bain trial
OpinionsThe complainant made a request to the New Zealand Police (the Police) for a copy of a ballistic evidence report (the report) prepared by Mr Henry Glaser of the Victoria Forensic Science Centre (the VFSC) in 1997 in relation to a homicide investigaInvestigation into 2008 national school bus transport tender process
OpinionsIn March 2008, the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) issued a “Request for Proposals for School Bus Services for contracts commencing January 2009” (the RFP) which invited tenders for school bus routes for a period of six years.Request for information held by Abortion Supervisory Committee concerning Court judgment and harassment of medical staff and patients
OpinionsIn October and December 2012 Mr Ken Orr of Right to Life New Zealand Inc. made requests to the Abortion Supervisory Committee (ASC) for:Request to Department of Internal Affairs for gambling venue cost guidelines
OpinionsThe complainant requested the Department of Internal Affairs to provide him with a copy of a document entitled ‘Class 4 Venue Costs: Licensing Process’ (the guidelines).Request for information relating to Ministry of Education 2012 Special Education School Transport Assessment (SESTA) tender
OpinionsIn 2012, the Ministry of Education published a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the transport of special needs children for educational purposes called the ‘Special Education School Transport Assistance tender’ (SESTA tender).Request for information held by Crown Law Office relating to investigation by Hon Ian Binnie QC into David Bain’s compensation claim
OpinionsThe requester (a news media organisation) made two requests to the Crown Law Office for information it held relating to an investigation by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, Hon Ian Binnie QC, into a claim by Mr David Bain for compensationInvestigation into Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board CPD requirements
OpinionsThe Federation of Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers (the Federation) represents tradesmen subject to the jurisdiction of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (the Board).Annual Report 2008/2009
Annual reportsIn order to fulfil our legislative mandate and to manage our work programme more efficiently and effectively, we have reorganised the Office into targeted teams (see p 12). An advisory group has been established to support the Ombudsmen and Deputy Ombudsman. This will strengthen consistency in Ombudsmen decisions, uniformity of professional practice, and provide a more rigorous quality assurance over the Office output. It will also assist in our goal to widen our focus from individual complaints to a closer analysis of systemic administrative failings of which the complaints may be symptomatic.Request for Hazardous Activities and Industries List
OpinionsOn 4 September 2008 Mr Sharpe sought from the Council “details of the 3099 ‘Unverified HAIL’ sites in the region, i.e. their location and the activity/industry that are known to have the potential to cause land contamination”.Annual Report 2007/2008
Annual reportsThe challenge for Ombudsmen everywhere is to remain relevant in a changing social, political and technological environment. This Office is responding to that challenge in a variety of ways.