Resources and publications
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Search our guides, case notes, opinions, reports and other information. Our 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.
1164 Resources Show all
Pūhara Mana Tangata Terms of Reference
Advisory groupsThis document outlines the terms of reference for Pūhara Mana Tangata, the Chief Ombudsman's Māori advisory panel. Pūhara Mana TangataReport 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).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 detaOIA complaints received with resolutions July 2016 - December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThis .CSV file contains a list of all complaints received with resolutions under the OIA for the past three years.OIA complaints completed July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedLGOIMA complaints completed July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedLGOIMA complaints received July – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on LGOIMA complaints received against local agencies on a six-monthly basis.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.LGOIMA complaints received with resolutions January – December 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThis .CSV file contains a list of all complaints received with resolutions under the LGOIMA since the beginning of 2019.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation between Ombudsman Thailand and the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand
Protocols with agenciesOn 11 February 2020 the Office of the Ombudsman Thailand and the Chief Ombudsman signed a Memorandum of Understanding, in the interest of fostering international cooperation in the field of complaint-handling, good governance, protection of human rightsRequest for information about death in custody
Case notesRequest for all correspondence about death in custody—unreasonable to rely on sections 9(2)(a) and 9(2)(ba)(i) without compiling and reviewing the information—subsequent reliance on section 18(f) (substantial collation or research) also unjustified—Ex-gratia payment for superannuitant in receipt of overseas pension
Case notesRequest by superannuitant for ex-gratia payment for deduction of voluntary component of overseas pension from New Zealand superannuation – Ministry of Social Development failed to advise superannuitant of discretion to defer commencement of deductioOmbudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: official information practice investigations highlights from our Annual Report 2018/19 whistleblowing freedom of information.LGOIMA compliance and practice at Christchurch City Council
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report sets out my opinion on how well Christchurch City Council (the Council) is meeting its obligations under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).Request for Associate Minister's letter concerning Let's Get Wellington Moving
OpinionsThe Hon Julie Anne Genter, Associate Minister of Transport (Associate Minister) sent a letter to the Hon Phil Twyford, Minister of Transport (Minister) during pre-consultation on the Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) indicative package draft Cabinet paOrientation visits: First step in developing aged care inspections programme
FactsheetsOur first step in developing our new inspections programme is to familiarise ourselves with privately-run aged care facilities.OPCAT aged care inspections programme
FactsheetsLegal framework for Chief Ombudsman’s inspections of health & disability facilities
FactsheetsInspecting places of detention helps to ensure that people who are deprived of their liberty are treated humanely, and their rights are protected and restored.Annual Report 2018/2019
Annual reportsIt was a busy year. A very busy year. Using almost all measures, the level of our work increased, yet our results were, overall, very pleasing.Report on an unannounced inspection of Tongariro Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThe following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Winter 2019
Outreach, Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:OIA complaints received January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA complaints received against Ministers and agencies on a six-monthly basis.LGOIMA complaints received January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on LGOIMA complaints received against local agencies on a six-monthly basis.LGOIMA complaints completed January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedOIA complaints completed January - June 2019
Projects, reference & data, Complaints dataComplaints completedReport on an unannounced inspection of Northland Regional Corrections Facility - August 2019
Reports, OPCAT reportsThe Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says the Northland Regional Corrections Facility is persisting with policies that are preventing it from achieving its full potential.Fact sheet: Aged care monitoring
FactsheetsThis fact sheet sets out why the Ombudsman is monitoring privately-run aged care facilities, and how the monitoring will differ from existing audits and reviews.LGOIMA practice report: Auckland Council
Reports, Official Information Practice InvestigationsChief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his report into Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) compliance and practice at Auckland Council.LGOIMA practice report: Far North District Council
Reports, Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman has released his report into Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act compliance and practice at Far North District Council.