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.
192 Resources Show all
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.Request for evaluation and audit reports regarding extended supervision orders
Case notesEvaluation report comprised largely academic material and statistical analysis—9(2)(g)(i) did not apply—audit report had been submitted to senior management but marked as draft—disclosure of majority not likely to prejudice future exchange of free and frank opinions—significant public interest considerations in favour of disclosure—audit report released with deletion of names and detailed findings relating to individual service providersRequest for transcripts of post-Cabinet press conferences (substantial impact)
Case notesDifficulty involved in finding and bringing together the requested transcripts - adverse impact on operation of the Office—s 18(f) appliedRequest for briefing notes relating to state visits
Case notesInspection on conditions in order to identify the documents required provided means of resolving s 18(f) refusalRequest for information about DHB’s dispute with South Link Health
Case notesReleasing statement of claim in breach of confidentiality agreement would disadvantage the DHB by diminishing trust and goodwill between the parties—releasing report would disadvantage the DHB by assisting the other party to counter DHB’s position—public interest in disclosure outweighed the need to withhold the statement of claim but not the reportRequest for information relating to proposed parking changes in a street
Case notesVolume of correspondence and requests created challenges but requester had a legitimate interest in obtaining information to help them understand the intended changes and make submissions—no evidence the request was made for irrational, mischievous or malicious reasons—no evidence that the agency had helped the requester to refine the request, reduce the scope, or clarify the specific information sought—request not frivolous or vexatiousRequest for information about dispute between South Link Health and Southern District Health Board
Case notesGood reason to withhold information that would reveal negotiating position and strategy or further deteriorate the relationship between the parties—s 9(2)(j) does not apply to some factual information and information that was known to the other party to the negotiationRequest for DHB Commissioner’s draft work plan
Case notesRelease of draft work plan would likely result in reluctance by staff to draft and consult on document—components of plan, once confirmed, were to be included in the 2016/17 annual plan—s 9(2)(g)(i) provided good reason to withholdSubmission 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 taxiText message to Prime Minister from journalist concerning ponytail pulling incidents - no blanket confidentiality for ‘off the record’ communications
Case notesTwo complaints were made to the Chief Ombudsman about the Prime Minister’s refusal of requests made under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) for communications that he or his Office had with a journalist for the New Zealand Herald, Ms Rachel GlucinDelegated Decision Makers – obligation to record reasons for decision
Case notesA complaint was made to the Ombudsman about the decision of Immigration New Zealand, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, to refuse requests made under section 35A of the Immigration Act 1987.Request for draft financial performance analysis
Case notesDraft financial performance analysis prepared by Alma Consulting—s 9(2)(g)(i) did not apply— strong public interest in releaseAvailability of HDC DHB complaint data
Case notesOmbudsman Ron Paterson commenced an Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) investigation into a complaint from a journalist, about a decision by the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) to refuse a request for the names of the DHBs published in a reporDepartment of Internal Affairs’ interpretation of Rates Rebate Act correct in partnership income issue
Case notesDecision not to investigate a complaint about the Department of Internal Affairs’ interpretation of the Rates Rebate Act 1973Local Authority not unreasonable to enforce pool fence requirements despite previous decisions
Case notesLocal Authority previously allowed existing fence of swimming pool—new inspection revealed old decisions wrong—complainant considered change unfair—Ombudsman concluded Council entitled to insist on regulationsRequest for copy of reviewers’ training manual
Case notesInformation was not a trade secret—although FairWay was engaged in commercial activities, it was not clear how disclosure would prejudice or disadvantage those activities—the manual was largely in the public domain, and there was little prospect of competition—ss 9(2)(b)(i), 9(2)(i) do not applyInvestigation into Ministry of Education's management of OIA requests about proposed school closures
Systemic investigationsThis is the report on my investigation under section 13(3) of the Ombudsmen Act into aspects of the Ministry of Education’s management of official information requests about the proposed closure of schools in Christchurch.Request for the identities of members of the public making submissions and PHARMAC staff involved in decision making on funding of drug
OpinionsTony Wall made a request to PHARMAC for information about the decision to fund the blood thinning drug dabigatran.Local Authority unreasonably failed to consult with residents about building relocation
Case notesLocal Authority allowed relocation of building without providing for adequate consultation process with the local community—Ombudsman upheld complaintMaking disability rights real 2011/2012
Reports, Disability rights reportsThis is the first report of the Independent Monitoring Mechanism of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.Request for information about a Department’s employment operations
Case notesPre-cast concrete operation is a commercial activity—s 9(2)(i) appliesRequest for emails between Costamare and Maritime New Zealand regarding the MV Rena
Case notesReleasing emails between the parties during the negotiations would prejudice willingness of the parties to participate in the negotiation in an open manner—s 9(2)(j) appliesMaking or complaining about requests for official information
Pamphlets and postersA pamphlet explaining what official information is, how you can make a request for it, and how the Ombudsman can help you. Available in Easy Read and Large Print formats, plus versions in te reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Mandarin and Hindi. Or, view a seven-minute YouTube video (in New Zealand Sign Language) on the subject of "Making or complaining about requests for official information".Good decision making
Good administrationThis guide sets out key information about good decision making by agencies, including the role of a decision maker, who has the power to make a decision, how to make good decisions, how to give a statement of reasons and good record-keeping.Managing unreasonable complainant conduct
Good administrationThis manual is designed to help agencies and their staff take a systematic and consistent approach to managing their interactions with complainants. It provides a series of suggestions and strategies to assist all staff members – not just frontline staff – to deal with unreasonable complainant conduct.Requests for information regarding ministerial conflicts of interest
OpinionsIn late 2009 and early 2010 a number of requesters sought a range of information regarding ministerial conflicts of interest.Request for salvage plan relating to MV Rena
Case notesRevealing salvage company’s detailed methodology would give other companies a competitive advantage in future tenders, which would be likely unreasonably to prejudice its commercial position—s 9(2)(b)(ii) appliesRequest for advice about SkyCity convention centre
Case notesNecessary to withhold strategy and bottom lines to enable the Crown to carry on negotiations with SkyCity—s 9(2)(j) applies