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.
147 Resources Show all
Potentially frivolous or vexatious requests work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis 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 resourcesThis 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 resourcesThis 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 projectsIn 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
FactsheetsThis 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
FactsheetsThis 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
FactsheetsThis 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
FactsheetsThis 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
FactsheetsThis 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 postersThis 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 postersA 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 postersA 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 postersA 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 postersA 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 administrationThis 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.