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.
109 Resources Show all
Treatment of disabled mother and uplift of newborn pēpi
Case notesIn 2014, Child, Youth and Family (CYF), then part of the Ministry of Social Development removed a five-day-old child from its disabled mother, while she remained in hospital.Use of incorrect information, lack of trauma-informed practice, failure to assess children’s safety
Case notesIn 2019, a caregiver made a complaint to Oranga Tamariki. Their complaint concerned the use of incorrect information by Oranga Tamariki about them, its failure to properly assess the safety of their youngest children, and record-keeping errors.Making Disability Rights Real 2014 - 2019
Disability rights reportsExecutive Summary New Zealand has a mixed record when it comes to the rights of disabled people.OPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of prisons under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary This report outlines my key findings and recommendations in relation to nine prisons inspected during the period of 29 April 2020 to 8 May 2020.Complaint from a rangatahi in a Care and Protection Residence
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint from a rangatahi in a Care and Protection Residence. The young person had previously been in the residence for 18 months, and this was now their second time there.Cancellation of access between parent and rangatahi due to COVID lockdown
Case notesThe complainant was the parent of a rangatahi in the care of Oranga Tamariki. The parent ordinarily had overnight, unsupervised access with the rangatahi each week. The parent lived alone, and the rangatahi lived elsewhere in the same city.Complaint about the reimbursement of costs when attending the Chief Executive’s Advisory Panel
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint about the reimbursement of reasonable costs for a complainant attending the Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive’s Advisory Panel in Wellington.OPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of mental health facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary This report outlines my key findings and recommendations in relation to the five inspections of mental health and addiction facilities (the Facilities) during the period 29 April 2020 – 6 May 2020.Proactive release: Good practices for proactive release of official information
Official informationThis guide:Request for email between journalist and source
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA did not apply—one party consented to release—both parties acting in their professional capacities—information already in the public domain—s 9(2)(ba)(ii) did not apply—no blanket confidentiality for all communications with journalistWaka Tangata: APOR E-news (June 2020)
Waka TangataDecision not to return bear skin specimen, surrendered pursuant to section 27(2) of the Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989
Case notesImportation of bear skin into New Zealand without a permit, resulting in its surrender under section 27(2) of the Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989 (TIES) – whether the Department of Conservation gave reasonable consideration to exercising its discreOmbudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: how our Office responded to lockdown COVID-19 inspections of prisons and care homes complaints resolution—avoiding a backlog Chief Ombudsman’s term renewed.Request for MSD historic claims guidebook
Case notesComplaint about the decision to withhold a document containing procedures and guidance under section 9(2)(j) of the Official Information Act—section 9(2)(j) did not apply—engagements conducted on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis are not clearly ‘negotiatioExpectations for OPCAT COVID-19 inspections - pamphlet
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet compliments the Expectations for OPCAT COVID-19 inspections to guide agencies responsible for places of detention during the COVID-19 pandemic.Full practice review of social work practice after notification of investigation
Case notesA complaint was lodged with the Chief Ombudsman from a couple about a child, who was in the custody of Oranga Tamariki and living with their birth mother. The couple had made several complaints to Oranga Tamariki expressing concern for the child’s safety.Processing requests for names of public sector employees work sheet
Worksheets and other resourcesThe Ombudsman’s general position is that there is usually no basis for withholding staff names if all that would be revealed is what they did in their official capacity. However, withholding staff names may be justified in particular circumstances.Names and contact details of public sector employees
Official informationThis guide provides advice on how to deal with OIA and LGOIMA requests for the names and contact details of public sector employees.Decision to implement locked cell policy
Case notesComplaint about the negative effects of implementing a locked cell policy in the Kaaka North and South pods at Northland Region Corrections Facility – Chief Ombudsman found that the implementation was unreasonable – the significant consequences (lack ofOPCAT inspections during COVID-19 pandemic – update and Statement of Principles poster
Pamphlets and postersThis poster compliments the set of principles provided to guide agencies responsible for places of detention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full update and Statement or Principles for more information.Upcoming OPCAT inspection by Chief Ombudsman’s team
FactsheetsInformation for residents of a facility that is being inspected, and their family and whanau.Expectations for OPCAT COVID-19 Inspections
FactsheetsPurpose Inspecting places of detention helps to ensure that people who are deprived of their liberty are treated humanely, and their rights are respected and protected.Decision to release tender information in response to Official Information Act request
Case notesComplaint about a decision to release information under the Official Information Act—Ministry consulted adequately with affected party—Ministry took into account affected party’s submissions, all relevant considerations, principle of availability, legisExtension of time limit to enable kanohi ki te kanohi consultation
Case notesExtension to enable kanohi ki te kanohi consultation on OIA request reasonable in the circumstancesRequest for record of ‘without prejudice’ meeting
Case notesSection 7(2)(g) LGOIMA did not apply—‘without prejudice’ privilege is not an aspect of legal professional privilege—s 7(2)(c)(ii) applied—obligation of confidence attaches to information subject to without prejudice privilege—release would make people rPūhara Mana Tangata Terms of Reference
Advisory groupsThese documents outline the terms of reference for Pūhara Mana Tangata, the Chief Ombudsman's Māori panel.Report on an unannounced inspection of Puna Awhi-rua Forensic Inpatient Ward, Waikato Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Reports, OPCAT reportsBackground In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of service users detaReport on an unannounced inspection of Puna Maatai Forensic Inpatient Ward, Waikato Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Reports, OPCAT reportsBackground In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of service userReport on an unannounced inspection of Puna Poipoi Forensic Rehabilitation Ward, Waikato Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Reports, OPCAT reportsBackground In 2007, the Ombudsmen were designated one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of service users detaReport on an unannounced follow up inspection of Wards 34, 35 and 36, Waikato Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Reports, OPCAT reportsForeword This report sets out my findings and recommendations concerning the treatment and conditions of service users detained in Wards 34, 35 and 36 (the Wards).OIA complaints received July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.OIA complaints completed July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completed