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.
66 Resources Show all
Measures protecting public health and safety – request to New Zealand Police for video footage of tasered goat
Case notesNew Zealand Police (Police) received a request from a journalist for video footage of an incident in December 2016 during which a goat was tasered.Request for names of staff and contractors involved in producing crime and safety survey
Case notesSection 9(2)(g)(ii) OIA applied to staff names—on basis of past conduct Ombudsman satisfied that requester would engage in improper pressure or harassment that would impact on the Ministry’s ability to attract and retain staff and contactors—section 9(2Request for business plan for Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre
Case notesCompetitors could copy or adopt third party’s methodology and strategy and devise plans based on its established operating systems which would unreasonably prejudice its commercial position—information subject to an explicit obligation of confidence and of a confidential nature—release would damage the public interest by making suppliers reluctant to participate in future procurement processesRequest for names of MSD staff in emails about the drafting of a Bill
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA did not apply—not necessary to withhold staff names to protect their privacy—no information to suggest privacy or safety concerns, or risk of improper pressure or harassment.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.Request for draft guidelines on religious instruction and observance in schools
Case notesOfficials still in the process of drafting—premature disclosure in advance of the planned public consultation process was not in the overall public interestRequest for cost of fees paid to a law firm
Case notesRelease of total fees would not unreasonably prejudice third party’s commercial positionRequest for information in relation to overseas acquisition of property in Northland
Case notesThe National Business Review (NBR) asked the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) for copies of all relevant decision documents in relation to André and Malgorzata Calantzopoulos’s acquisition of property in Northland.Request for staff names in employment investigation report into Joanne Harrison
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA applied—significant privacy interest given the nature and content of report and impact on individuals—no public interest override.Request for expenditure on goods and services provided by Palantir Technologies
Case notesRelease of total cost would not unreasonably prejudice third party’s commercial position—public interest in accountability for spending public moneyRequest for DHB financial reporting data
Case notesWhile release 1 month after refusal would have been ‘soon’ there was no reasonable certainty release would occur by then—agency should reasonably have foreseen delay in obtaining Ministerial input due to election—Section 18(d) did not applyRequests for Briefings to the Incoming Minister
Case notesFollowing the September 2017 election, requesters sought access to the Briefings to the Incoming Minister (BIMs) from the Privacy Commissioner and the Ministry of Transport. Both requests were refused on the basis that the information would soon be publicly available (section 18(d) of the OIA).Request for names and address for service of two Police officers
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) and 9(2)(g)(ii) OIA applied—past conduct suggested the requester would publish information targeting or encouraging others to target the officers in a way that would breach their personal privacy, and subject them to improper pressure orRequest for draft internal review of International Visitor Survey
Case notesInternal review still in draft form—redacted comments comprised preliminary views of individual within agency—s 9(2)(g)(i) applied—no overriding public interest in disclosureRequest 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 iRequest for information held by Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination agencies
Case notesThe Ministry of Health (the Ministry) partially refused a request for information on the basis that the information was held by Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination agencies (NASCs), and NASCs are not independent contractors engaged by the MinistrRequest for information regarding the award of a knighthood to Sir Paul Collins
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman considered a complaint against a decision by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) to withhold certain information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) relating to the award of a knighthood to Sir Paul Collins.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 investigaRequest 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 external monitor’s report on University graduate diploma
Case notesUniversity research contracts and trading can be commercial activities—the provision of education to full fee-paying international students may be a commercial activity—but providing tertiary education to domestic students is not a commercial activity—s 9(2)(i) does not applyRequest for rent paid for transmission and broadcast sites
Case notesRequester could use knowledge of other site rental rates to try and obtain a higher rate in their rent review—s 9(2)(j) appliesRequest for Policy Advisory Group briefings to Prime Minister about infant formula threat
Case notesSection 9(2)(f)(iv) applies to PAG briefings to Prime Minister subject to public interest test— relationship between PAG and the Prime Minister, in his or her constitutional role as leader of the Government, is unique—complete confidentiality in interactions with his or her closest advisers is required to support the Prime Minister in carrying out that roleRequest for information about proposed Clifford Bay ferry terminal
Case notesInterislander’s operating costs, growth predictions and business strategy protected by s 9(2)(b)(ii)Request for evidentiary conclusions in respect of 15 issues or assertions and information about religious affiliation or association of staff
Case notesInformation not held—evidentiary conclusions would need to be created—to the extent that if information about religious affiliation or association of staff was held in mind of Commissioner, it would be held in a personal capacityRequest for information about appointment of public service chief executive
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) applied to names of unsuccessful candidates—no public interest override—section 9(2)(a) and 9(2)(ba)(ii) did not apply to the names of external panellists—section 9(2)(a) did not apply to officials’ names, Cabinet distribution and attendRequest for advice to Ministers on applications under the Overseas Investment Act
Case notesThe Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) complained to the Ombudsman about the Overseas Investment Office’s (OIO’s) decision to refuse its request for information deleted from the file relating to Kim Dotcom’s applications for consent toRequest 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 about exploration permits awarded to Anadarko Petroleum
Case notesApplication and evaluation subject to obligation of confidence—release would make bidders reluctant to share full information in future, which would undermine MBIE’s ability to carry out statutory functions—release would also reduce the appeal of investing in New Zealand and MBIE’s ability to administer the Crown Minerals Act, which would otherwise damage the public interest—sections 9(2)(ba)(i) and (ii) apply—revealing information about particular prospects or reserves would disadvantage third party vis-à-vis their competitors—revealing information about projected costs would disadvantage third party in its negotiations with service companies—section 9(2)(b)(ii) applies—public interest met by available information