Resources and publications
Ngā rauemi me ngā tānga
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.
10 Resources Show all
Request for information about employment investigation involving officer’s behaviour at a Police event
Case notesSections 9(2)(a) and 9(2)(ba)(i) OIA applied to information about and supplied by witnesses—implied obligation of confidence—release would be likely to prejudice the future supply of information from witnesses to alleged staff misconduct—it is in the puRequest for information about an employment investigation (demotion)
Case notesPrivacy and confidentiality grounds apply—need for accountability when things go wrong— nature and seriousness of the wrongdoing—seniority of the individual involved—release of summary information to satisfy public interestRequest for engineering reports regarding earthquake-prone buildings
Case notesSection 7(2)(c)(i) applied—public interest in transparency for health and safety required the disclosure of four reports containing adverse findingsRequest for interviews with potential child abuse victims
Case notesSection 9(2)(ba)(i) OIA applied—high level of confidentiality attaches to interviews with potential child abuse victims—release would deter potential child abuse victims from participating in interviews—it is in the public interest for child protectionRequest for bioequivalence studies and dissolution data
Case notesNot a trade secret but the data is subject to an obligation of confidence—risk of disclosure to competitors would make drug suppliers less likely to enter the New Zealand market—s 9(2)(ba)(ii) appliesRequests for tape and transcript of pilot communications to air traffic control
Case notesMedia requests for tape and transcript of pilot communications to Christchurch Air Traffic Control prior to crash—class exemption sought—also withheld to protect obligation of confidence—s 9(2)(ba)—release would not breach Chicago convention or any contracts with air traffic controllers—recommendation that information be releasedRequest to Board of Trustees for 15 year old daughter’s statements alleging sexual harassment by teacher aide
Case notesMother’s request to Board of Trustees for 15 year old daughter’s statements alleging sexual harassment by teacher aide—daughter provided statement to school in confidence—refused consent to release—public interest in ensuring students willing to supply similar information to school in future—good reason to withhold under s 9(2)(ba)(i)Request for full internal report of health care
Case notesRequests for full internal report by a Crown Health Enterprise following public tragedy—contents included personal health information conveyed in confidence, interviews with CHE staff and other individuals, peer review, conclusions and recommendations—confidentiality of personal health information—‘doctor/patient’ relationship—protection of free and frank opinions—some information released, some withheld—competing public interest considerations—accountability for public health careDepartment of Conservation resolves impasse concerning ivory-key piano held by New Zealand Customs
Case notesRefusal to release piano imported from United Kingdom—family heirloom from 1920s—need for approval of Department of Conservation under CITES because of ivory content—conflict between New Zealand legislation implementing CITES and European Community Regulations—impasse resolved by acceptance of statutory declaration by family—conflict to be raised with CITES SecretariatImmigration Service reviews returning residents visa policy following complaint
Case notesRefusal of application for returning resident’s visa—failure of New Zealand Immigration Service to advise applicant of discretion to make exception to policy—applicant incurred additional costs in changing travel plans—NZIS accepted responsibility for omission and reimbursed additional costs—policy on returning resident’s visa reviewed and amended