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.
178 Resources Show all
OIA Report - Not a game of hide and seek
Official Information Practice InvestigationsNot a game of Hide and Seek was the first Official Information Act investigation that paved the way for other Official Information Practice Investigations.Request for data on tooth decay in Taranaki children
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA applied to identifying details (NHI number, addresses, dates of birth, dental clinics), but not to information about fluoride and dental decay which would not identify individuals—partial releaseRequest 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 copy of LGOIMA request
Case notesEarlier decision to supply the (wrong) information undermined later decision to declare the request vexatious—request arose out of genuine interest in the subject—while the requester had been critical of Council that did not mean the purpose of his request was to harass or annoy—s 18(h) does not apply—information should be releasedPatient eligibility for publicly funded healthcare
Case notesThis case note concerns an investigation under the Ombudsmen Act 1975, resulting from a complaint to the Ombudsman about the failure of a district health board (DHB) to identify that a patient was ineligible to receive publicly funded health care beforeRequest 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 MOTAT organisational review
Case notesThe Board of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) refused a request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) for a copy of the MOTAT Strategic Review Report (the report).Annual 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.OPCAT Annual Report 2014/2015
OPCAT reportsDuring their monitoring activities in the reporting period NPMs have not identified any incidents of torture.Request 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 handwritten comments on draft walking and cycling strategy
Case notesRelease would inhibit willingness of Council staff to provide free and frank opinions on drafts circulated by colleagues, or to test the content and recommendations of such documents, which would undermine the accuracy and value of the material that eventuates—s 7(2)(f)(i) appliesRequest 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 investigaStatement of Intent 2015/19
Strategic intentionsThis statement of intent sets out the nature and scope of our functions, the strategic direction of our organisation, what we are hoping to achieve, and some key measures.Request for serious incident review
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA applied—although significant information was already in the public domain withholding was necessary to protect the family’s right to be left alone in circumstances where highly distressing events had resulted in significant media andRequest for whether company vehicles issued infringement notices
Case notesSection 7(2)(a) LGOIMA did not apply—information about company not natural person—information releasedInvestigation 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 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 correspondence regarding dog control officer’s actions
Case notesRequest related to dispute some 16 years prior that had already been the subject of court proceedings and inquiries by this Office—request was an attempt to re-litigate already long concluded matters and an abuse of the right to access official information—vexatious complaint—Ombudsman refuses to investigateRequest 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 roleLocal Authority not unreasonable to issue Trespass Notice in the circumstances
Case notesWhether the District Council was reasonable to issue a Trespass Notice to the complainant and whether the complainant was given the opportunity to review the Council’s case against her—Ombudsman concludes the action was justifiedRequest 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 names of submitters who opposed an application by the Ban1080 party to register its name and logo
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA applied—withholding necessary to protect the privacy of submitters who were individual members of the public—potential consequences of disclosure included harassment and threats to safety—in view of these consequences the public inteRequest for independent test results of product
Case notesSection 9(2)(ba)(i) OIA applied—implied obligation of confidence—information could have been compelled under an enactment—release would be likely to prejudice timely supply of information of the quality and standard necessary for the Commerce Commission