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.
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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
Investigation into Miramar Central School seclusion complaint
OpinionsIn October 2016, I announced my intention to investigate the use of seclusion in schools.Request for document related to coalition negotiations between Labour and New Zealand First
OpinionsTwo complaints were received under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA), about the decision by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, not to release certain information relating to the coalition negotiations between the Labour Party and New ZInvestigation into Ruru School seclusion complaint
OpinionsIn July 2015, Mr and Mrs M complained to the Ombudsman about the alleged abuse of their son N and other students, by staff at Ruru. Their concerns included that N was secluded in a room that Ruru referred to as its ‘safe area’.Request for information about an agency’s lease costs
OpinionsThree requests were made to the Ministry of Social Development for information about the costs of leases held at its former (Bowen Street), and current (The Terrace) premises.OIA complaints completed 1 January to 30 June 2017
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.OIA complaints received 1 January to 30 June 2017
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.KiwiRail's processing of a request for official information
OpinionsIn response to public concern, I have conducted a self-initiated investigation under the Ombudsmen Act (OA) of KiwiRail’s processing of an Official Information Act (OIA) request for the Third Main Business Case (the business case).OIA complaints completed 1 July - 31 December 2016
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 2016
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.Request for taser camera footage and tactical operations report
OpinionsThis opinion relates to a request by a current affairs producer from Television New Zealand (the TVNZ Producer) to the New Zealand Police to view taser camera footage, and for a copy of the associated tactical options report (TOR), relating to an incideSubmission of the Ombudsman - Education (Update) Amendment Bill 2016
SubmissionsWhile we agree that on-line learning can make an important contribution to education, we are concerned about the breadth of the proposed Communities of On-Line Learning (COOL) scheme, and in particular the apparently unrestricted ability of any stInvestigation into reduction of funding for care of adult disabled children
OpinionsMr Cliff Robinson was a plaintiff in the Atkinson v Ministry of Health case which won the right for parents of intellectually disabled adult children to be paid for the care of their children.Request for information relating to request for inquiry into convictions of Peter Ellis
OpinionsDr Lynley Hood and Dr Don Brash, the complainants, requested information held by the Ministry of Justice relating to their request to the Minister of Justice, Hon Amy Adams (the Minister), for a Commission of Inquiry into the Peter Ellis case.Investigation into SSC conduct of MFAT leaks inquiry
OpinionsThis investigation was triggered by a complaint about an inquiry by the State Services Commission (SSC), which culminated in the publication of the Report to the State Services Commissioner on the Investigation into the Possible Unauthorised DRequest for health practitioner’s complaint history with HDC
OpinionsThe requester, a reporter at the Otago Daily Times (ODT), sought details of complaints made to the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) against a midwife.Request for information relating to the business case for Wiri Prison
OpinionsMax Rashbrooke asked the Department of Corrections (the Department) for copies of reports to Government entitled ‘Business Case Prison Capacity Supply & Procurement 2010 – 2019’ (First Business Case) and ‘Detailed (Stage Two) Business CRequest for surgical complications data
OpinionsThe New Zealand Herald made a request to five District Health Boards (DHBs) for information about the nature and outcomes of public hospital work by cardiothoracic surgeons and neurosurgeons.Article 24 The Right to an Inclusive Education
Reports, Disability rights reportsAn report of the Independent Monitoring Mechanism on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities looking at implementation of the Article 24 right to inclusive education.Investigation into availability of FairWay Reviewers’ Benchbook under the Official Information Act
OpinionsA requester asked FairWay Resolution Ltd (FairWay) for a copy of a FairWay document known as the Reviewers’ Benchbook.Investigation into prisoner's right to exercise at Auckland Prison
OpinionsThe complainant, Mr Arthur Taylor, was held in Auckland Prison’s D Block. In August 2014, he made a complaint that the Department of Corrections (the Department) was denying D Block prisoners the opportunity to exercise in the open air.Investigation of limited access to Ministry of Health influenza vaccine adverse reaction reports
OpinionsThe complainant, Mr Ron Law, requested information held by the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe), a Ministry of Health business unit, concerning adverse reactions to influenza vaccines in 2010 and 2011.Submission of the Ombudsman - Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled
SubmissionsThe Office of the Ombudsman strongly supports New Zealand acceding to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or otherwise Print Disabled.Legal professional privilege outweighed by significant public interest in release of information
OpinionsHealth researcher Professor Cindy Farquhar complained about a decision made by the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) to refuse her request for a copy of two legal opinions, one from Health Legal, the other from Crown Law (the legal opinions).Submission of the Ombudsman - Small Passenger Services Sector Review
SubmissionsThe Office of the Ombudsman is concerned that the review has not given enough attention to issues of safety and disability (issues that are central to fitness and purpose), and focussed too heavily on accommodating and potentially aligning current taxiRequest 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 iAccess 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).