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.
27 Resources Show all
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 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 informationRequest for reports into prisoner deaths in custody
Case notesRequest for reports into deaths of two prisoners in custody—s 9(2)(a) applied to parts of reports—strong public interest in release—disclosure to the Howard League subject to conditionsCharge for the creation of statistics
Case notesOIA and Charging Guidelines did not apply to request for statistics that were not held but could be created for a fee—fee for the creation of statistics was calculated in accordance with the agency’s Sales and Pricing Policy and was not unreasonableRequest for information regarding rental housing warrants of fitness
Case notesSection 9(2)(f)(iv) provides good reason to withhold some documents—Cabinet decision making incomplete—publicity from release would impede the Cabinet and Minister from making balanced, efficient and effective decision—Minister had addressed public interest in participation and accountability through disclosure of bulk of information at issueRequest 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 compensationRequest for research behind a published statement
Case notesRequester must be told where they can access the publicly available informationRequest for holiday period excess speed infringement data
Case notesRelease 23 working days after refusal was ‘soon’—s 18(d)Request for Pre-Cabinet précis briefings
Case notesDisclosure of short and incisive pre-Cabinet briefings and risk assessments would inhibit future expression of free and frank opinionsRequest for draft investigation report into GRSA outbreak at Wellington Hospital’s neonatal unit
Case notesRequest for investigation report regarding outbreak of GRSA at Wellington Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit—report withheld as not ‘signed-off’—TOR specified confidential two-stage investigation process—disclosure risked compromising this process and would diminish staff confidence that investigations would follow agreed protocols—disclosure would be likely to damage the public interest—final investigation report still not complete nearly one year later—the longer a review process goes on without disclosure of final investigation report the greater the public interest in disclosure of at least an interim statement—in this case s 9(2)(ba)(ii) provided good reason to withhold the draft report.Request for restorative justice data
Case notesNo certainty that information would be released in the near future—release 14-16 weeks after refusal was not ‘soon’—s 18(g) did not apply