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.
145 Resources Show all
OPCAT: Ombudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities
OPCAT, FactsheetsOmbudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities Update: August 2020Making Disability Rights Real 2014 - 2019
Disability rights reportsExecutive Summary New Zealand has a mixed record when it comes to the rights of disabled people.OIA complaints received July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.OIA complaints completed July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedLGOIMA complaints received July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on LGOIMA complaints received against local agencies on a six-monthly basis.LGOIMA complaints completed July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedLGOIMA complaints received with resolutions January – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThis .CSV file contains a list of all complaints received with resolutions under the LGOIMA since the beginning of 2019.OIA complaints received with resolutions July 2016 - December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThis .CSV file contains a list of all complaints received with resolutions under the OIA for the past three years.Request for Associate Minister's letter concerning Let's Get Wellington Moving
OpinionsThe Hon Julie Anne Genter, Associate Minister of Transport (Associate Minister) sent a letter to the Hon Phil Twyford, Minister of Transport (Minister) during pre-consultation on the Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) indicative package draft Cabinet paOIA complaints received January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.OIA complaints completed January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedLGOIMA complaints received January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on LGOIMA complaints received against local agencies on a six-monthly basis.LGOIMA complaints completed January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedOranga Tamariki newborn removal investigation Terms of Reference
InvestigationsThis document updates the terms of reference for the Chief Ombudsman’s self-initiated investigation into the role of Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children in connection with the removal of newborns.Submission of the Ombudsman - OIA consultation July 2019
Projects, reference & data, SubmissionsIn March, the Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation on matters relating to the Official Information Act.Request for political consultation emails
OpinionsThe Minister of State Services refused to provide two emails that revealed the comments provided by the Green Party in response to consultation on a proposed Cabinet paper.OIA complaints completed July - December 2018
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.OIA complaints received July - December 2018
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.Terms of reference for intellectual disability systemic investigations
Projects, reference & data, InvestigationsThe Systemic Improvement Investigations (SII) team undertakes self-initiated investigations (under the Ombudsmen Act 1975) into systemic issues where the Chief Ombudsman thinks their intervention has the potential to improve public sector administrationPlan for the next Making Disability Rights Real report
Projects, reference & data, Disability rights projectsIn mid- to late 2019, New Zealand’s compliance with the United Nations Disability Convention will be reviewed. Find out more about this and how to make a submission.Submission of the Chief Ombudsman – Protected Disclosures Act consultation
Projects, reference & data, SubmissionsThe State Services Commission held a public consultation on possible reform of the PDA in 2018. The Chief Ombudsman made a submission, which is now available to read.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.OIA complaints completed 1 January - 30 June 2018
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.OIA complaints received 1 January - 30 June 2018
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.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.OIA complaints completed 1 July - 31 December 2017
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.OIA complaints received 1 July - 31 December 2017
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.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.