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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. 

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180 Resources Show all

  • Potentially frivolous or vexatious requests work sheet

    Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resources
    This summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is a proper basis for refusing a request for official information under section 18(f) of the OIA / 17(f) of the LGOIMA, because the request is frivolous or vexatious.

  • Publicly available information work sheet

    Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resources
    This summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is a proper basis for refusing a request for official information under section 18(d) of the OIA / 17(d) of the LGOIMA, because the requested information is or will soon be publicly available.

  • Sample estimate of costs

    Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resources
    This sample estimate of costs can be used to help calculate a charge for supplying official information, and be provided to the requester.

  • Plan for the next Making Disability Rights Real report

    Projects, reference & data, Disability rights projects
    In mid- to late 2019, New Zealand’s compliance with the United Nations Disability Convention will be reviewed. Find out more about this and how to make a submission.

  • Fact sheet: Accident Compensation Corporation

    Factsheets
    This fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Also available in Easy Read format.

  • Fact sheet: Earthquake Commission

    Factsheets
    This fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against the Earthquake Commission (EQC). Also available in Easy Read format.

  • Fact sheet: Immigration New Zealand

    Factsheets
    This fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against Immigration New Zealand. Also available in Easy Read format.

  • Fact sheet: Inland Revenue Department

    Factsheets
    This fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Also available in Easy Read format.

  • Fact sheet: Work and Income

    Factsheets
    This fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against Work and Income. Also available in Easy Read format.

  • Complaining about goods and services

    This is a teaching resource about the language of complaint. It is for teachers working with people who are not confident speaking and writing English and are free for anyone to use. You can use the leaflets and case studies on this page to help with teaching the topics.

  • Fair treatment for people with disabilities

    Pamphlets and posters
    This pamphlet provides information about the Ombudsman's role under the Disabilities Convention. Available in Large Print and Easy Read formats, plus versions in Te Reo Maori, Hindi, Korean, Tongan, Samoan, and Mandarin.

  • Is it OK to complain?

    This is a teaching resource about the language of complaint. It is for teachers working with people who are not confident speaking and writing English and are free for anyone to use. You can use the leaflets and case studies on this page to help with teaching the topics.

  • Making complaints about government agencies

    Pamphlets and posters
    A pamphlet explaining what the Ombudsman can do for you, the complaints process, and what happens when you make your complaint. Available in Easy Read and Large Print formats, plus versions in te reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Mandarin and Hindi. Or, view a short YouTube video in New Zealand Sign language called "Making complaints about government agencies".

  • Making complaints about prisons and Community Corrections

    Pamphlets and posters
    A pamphlet on making a complaint about prisons and Community Corrections. It covers: What can the Ombudsman do for you?; What happens when you make a complaint?; and the complaints process. Available in Easy Read and Large Print formats, plus versions in Te Reo Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Mandarin and Hindi.

  • Monitoring places of detention

    Pamphlets and posters
    A pamphlet explaining the Ombudsman's role as a National Preventive Mechanism, what the Ombudsman looks at when monitoring places of detention, and other National Preventive Mechanisms. Available in Large Print and Easy Read formats, plus versions in Te Reo Maori, Hindi, Korean, Tongan, Samoan, and Mandarin. Or, watch a short YouTube video in New Zealand Sign language called "Monitoring places of detention".

  • The Ombudsman: who we are

    Pamphlets and posters
    A pamphlet explaining what the Ombudsman does. Available in Easy Read and Large Print formats, plus versions in te reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Mandarin and Hindi. Or, watch this five-minute YouTube video (in New Zealand Sign Language) on what the Ombudsman does.

  • Where to get more help resolving a complaint

    Sometimes when we make a complaint we’re not happy with the response we get. If we are unhappy with how our complaint has been dealt with, we may need to take it further. This is a teaching resource about the language of complaint. It is for teachers working with people who are not confident speaking and writing English and are free for anyone to use.

  • Writing to complain

    A guide to writing a letter of complaint. This is a teaching resource about the language of complaint. It is for teachers working with people who are not confident speaking and writing English and are free for anyone to use. You can use the leaflets and case studies on this page to help with teaching the topics.

  • Effective complaint handling

    Good administration
    This guide sets out key information for agencies about developing and operating an effective complaints process. It also provides information about the Ombudsman’s role and a checklist for agencies to follow.

  • Request for offender’s photo on police file

    Case notes
    Rape victim sought photograph of attacker whose face she had never seen—Police refused the request to protect the privacy of the offender—s 9(2)(a) applied—public interest in assisting victims of crime to recover from trauma and move on with their lives—balance of competing privacy and public interest considerations needed to be made—appropriate to make photograph available for viewing subject to appropriate conditions

  • Request for qualifications and work history of staff at Polytechnic Department

    Case notes
    Request for details about staff at Polytechnic—withheld under s 9(2)(a) to protect privacy—public interest in ensuring employment practices of Polytechnic are transparent and fair—met by summary release of staff details and selection process

  • Request for copy of competitor’s licence deed

    Case notes
    Ferry service operator requested copy of competitor’s licence deed from ferry terminal facility owner—request refused under s 7(2)(b)(ii) LGOIMA on basis release would prejudice commercial position of licensee—licensee argued that it had originally negotiated licence in atmosphere of complete commercial confidentiality with then port authority at a time when neither party was subject to LGOIMA—Ombudsman considered s 8 LGOIMA and s 75 Local Government Act 2002—neither Act contains transitional or saving provisions concerning information held by private bodies that later become subject to this legislation—request for such information should therefore be considered in same way as any other LGOIMA request—Ombudsman found no commercial prejudice likely and strong public interest in release—facility owner released information.

  • Request for ACC notice board bulletin

    Case notes
    Requester sought a copy of ACC notice board bulletin - bulletin contains commentary and advice on various court decisions - prepared by practising solicitor in his professional capacity - purpose is to give general legal advice to case managers who routinely request and rely upon it - refused under s 9(2)(h) - legal professional privilege applies - no waiver even though it was distributed widely amongst ACC staff - marked confidential and subject to privilege - no public interest in release that outweighed strong public interest in ensuring privilege is maintained.

  • Request for names and email addresses of people consulted on draft speech

    Case notes
    Recipients and senders of emails consulted—disclosure would not inhibit senior public servants from expressing free and frank opinions in future—however others would be inhibited

  • Delays by Te Puni Kōkiri in responding to requests from opposition researcher

    Case notes
    Blanket policy to consult Minister on all OIA requests unlawful—Ministerial ‘clearance’ or ‘approval’ of agency OIA requests not permitted

  • OIA request extension notified outside time limit

    Case notes
    Request for large amount of information relating to tobacco control—extension to time limit for responding to request required—extension notified outside time limit in s 15A—deemed a refusal—no further investigation required as decision on request pending

  • Request by mother for copy of letter she viewed at her son’s family group conference

    Case notes
    Mother requested copy of letter she viewed at her son’s family group conference—refused under s 18(c)(i) because all FGC matters are confidential—s 38 of Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989—disclosing letter to person who attended FGC does not amount to ‘publishing’ as prohibited by s 38—letter released with proviso

  • Request for draft answers to parliamentary questions prepared by Police staff

    Case notes
    Section 9(2)(g)(i) applied—release would prejudice the free and frank expression of similar communications in future—no public interest override

  • Request for comments on early draft cabinet papers

    Case notes
    Request for documents regarding Kyoto Protocol—information contained initial Treasury comments on draft versions of cabinet paper—part of informal consultation early in policy making process—concern that release would result in officials being less co-operative and formalise the process—withholding necessary to maintain effective conduct of public affairs

  • Request for NZSIS files concerning two NZ scholars

    Case notes
    Writer sought NZSIS files on two individuals—Refused under s 6—bulk of information had been provided by overseas authorities under strict confidentiality agreements—various agencies consulted—some consented to release whereas others did not—complainant agreed to contact overseas agencies directly—ss 6(a) and 6(b) applied—release contrary to agreement would compromise quality and supply of similar information in future which would prejudice NZ’s security—some information released with identifiers deleted

  • Request for printed copies of Ministers’ official diaries

    Case notes
    Request for printed copies of certain Ministers’ official diaries covering a three month period—printed copies of the diaries released with certain names and contact details deleted—a Minister’s diary per se is official information but not all the i

  • Request by Korean company for information relating to Ministry of Defence decision not to shortlist the company

    Case notes
    Solicitors for Korean based company sought information on Ministry of Defence’s decision not to shortlist company in tender process—Ministry argued solicitors were agent for company which had no rights under the OIA—evidence suggested company had a place of business in New Zealand—s 12(1)(e) applied