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.
274 Resources Show all
Request for information about the outcome of a complaint about a rest home
Case notesRequest for information about the outcome of a complaint about a rest home—request refused under s 9(2)(a)—public interest in complainants receiving adequate information about investigations and findings—release of summary of informationRequest for a copy of paper presented to Cabinet Strategy Committee
Case notesInformation deleted from position paper on pricing issues presented by ECNZ to Cabinet Strategy Committee—ss 9(2)(g)(i) and 9(2)(j) applied to some of the information—interest in withholding information in certain sections of the paper outweighed by strong public interest in disclosure—s 9(1)—electricity pricing has a direct widespread impact on a large number of New ZealandersRequest for information disclosed during confidential Ministerial briefing to sector group
Case notesRequest by Opposition for information disclosed during confidential Ministerial briefing to sector group—s 9(2)(g)(i)—effective conduct of public affairs—public interest balancing—accountability—need for transparency in Minister’s dealings with financial sectorRequest for information relating to the setting up of the Special Committee on Nuclear Propulsion
Case notesRequest for information relating to the setting up of the Special Committee on Nuclear Propulsion—given the sensitivity of the nuclear propulsion issue and the context in which the information had been generated, the withholding of the information was necessary under ss 9(2)(f)(iv) and 9(2)(g)(i)—at the time of the review the balance of public interest favoured withholding the information requested—the overall public interest was better served in allowing the Special Committee to complete its review in an orderly mannerRequest for Court Registrar’s report
Case notesReport on aborted trial released with deletions—‘free and frank expressions of opinion’ by Registrar—no public interest overrideRequest by parents for medical records of 13 year old daughter
Case notesRequest for medical records—information about parents and child refused under s 9(2)(a)—during review girl consulted—information released other than therapy transcriptsRequest for advice relating to remuneration packages of executives involved in sale of SOEs
Case notesRequest for advice on remuneration packages of executives involved in the sale of SOEs— privacy issues—s 9(2)(a)—remuneration package released subject to deletion of dollar figures.Request for recruitment video
Case notesRequest for copy of video commissioned for overseas recruitment—privacy of individual officers appearing in it—s 9(2)(a)—privacy interest not strong—public interest outweighs any privacy interest—s 9(1)—how Treasury sees its role and how it presents that image to potential recruits both in New Zealand and overseas is a matter of strong public interestRequest for identity of medical advisers who had provided expert opinion to Department of Health
Case notesRequest for identity of medical advisers—need to ensure continued provision of medical advice on value of medicines—consultation with advisers—with one exception, no prejudice to the supply of similar information or information from the same sourceRequest for audio and video tapes relating to allegations of child abuse
Case notesAudio and video tapes relating to allegations of child abuse—relevance of Family Court proceedings—mixed Part 2 and Part 4 informationRequest by convicted rapist for details of compensation claim by rape victim
Case notesRequest by convicted rapist for details of compensation claim by rape victim—conviction under appeal—privacy of victim—s 9(2)(a)—public interest in right to justice—s 9(1)—summary provided—s 16(1)(e)Request for information relating to expenditure of school money
Case notesRequest for minutes of, and reports to, a Board of Trustees’ meetings relating to expenditure of school monies—privacy interests of the Principal and Executive Officer¬—accountability for spending public moneyNZ Superannuation Corporation provided incorrect advice incurring loss to complainant and offered ex gratia payment
Case notesIncorrect advice—Government Superannuation Fund—Voluntary SeveranceDepartment of Social Welfare and inadequate advice for unsupported child benefit
Case notesAdvice given by Department on availability of financial assistance—remedy for financial lossDepartment of Social Welfare agrees to reconsider offer of severance payment for employee
Case notesApplication of redundancy provisions in Employment Agreement to part-time employee—part-time employment offered on permanent basis—employee made redundant after 60th birthday and excluded from severance provisions—department reconsidered and agreed to pay severanceDepartment of Social Welfare required to offer travel expenses to disabled person
Case notesReimbursement of travelling expenses pursuant to s.13 of Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975—whether application by pregnant diabetic constituted permanent disability—Department decided specialist oversight necessitated by longstanding diabetic condition and approved paymentDepartment of Social Welfare and unfair repayment of a loan
Case notesDepartment of Social Welfare-decision to require repayment of a suspensory loan granted under the Disabled Persons Community Welfare ActDepartment of Social Welfare error in employment issue
Case notesDispute over offer of employment—remedy available under Employment Contracts Act— Ombudsman exercised discretion under s 130(a) to investigate—employment offer reinstated