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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.
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Contains our media releases, newsletters, pamphlets, speeches and fact sheets. Fact sheets are published in multiple language and accessible formats.
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This includes our official information complaints data, updates on investigations and other projects, and submissions by the Ombudsman.
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Template letters and work sheets
These template letters and work sheets can be used by agencies to help respond to official information requests.
1418 Resources Show all
Omission by school board to follow due process before excluding student for gross misconduct
Case notesA student was suspended by the principal on the basis of ‘gross misconduct’ after bringing alcohol to school and sharing it with another student. The Chief Ombudsman investigated whether the board followed a reasonable process in relation to the suspension hearing, and whether the decision to exclude the student was sound.Exercise of discretion to refuse request for personal information not unreasonable
Case notesA complainant made a request for information about themselves that they believed had been provided to Inland Revenue (IR) by a third party. IR provided a summary of the information it had received but refused to provide a full copy of the information, or details of who provided it.Determination of ineligibility for publicly funded healthcare was wrong
Case notesComplaint about a determination by the Ministry of Health that a person was ineligible for publicly funded healthcare as they did not meet the time criteria prescribed in the Health and Disability Services Direction 2011.Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (December 2022)
Waka TangataResources
GuidesThis page provides resources for fellow Ombudsmen and integrity institutions that may be of use in developing their own practices.Waka Tangata: APOR E-News
Waka TangataBiannual news and views from integrity organisations in the Pacific and AustralasiaChief Ombudsman’s opinion under the Ombudsmen Act
OpinionsFinal opinion on Managed Isolation Allocation SystemOIPI systemic investigation - Terms of Reference
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThese documents outline the terms of reference for Official Information Practice Investigations systemic investigation into seven agencies' compliance, processes and practices.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Spring 2022 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. It includes Govt agencies receive OIA report card, Oranga Tamariki’s “litany of failures” in Malachi Subecz case, Ombudsman’s disability rights role featured at the UN, 60 years of the Ombudsman in NZ, and more.Overseas borrower liable for student loan debt when IR unable to contact them
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint from an overseas borrower about the way the Inland Revenue Department (IR) administered their student loan and the addition of interest and penalties that they were required to pay.Chief Ombudsman's Strategic Intentions - 2022 to 2027
Strategic intentionsAs Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ombudsman, I give effect to a number of key democratic and human rights measures aimed at safeguarding the rights of people and promoting government accountability and transparency.Chief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2021/2022
Annual reportsWatch the introduction in New Zealand Sign LanguageChief Ombudsman’s opinion under the Ombudsmen Act - Malachi Subecz
OpinionsThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint about the actions of Oranga Tamariki in relation to the death of a young child/tamaiti, Malachi, aged five.OIA compliance and practice in Accident Compensation Corporation
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Department of Corrections 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Education 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Health 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Justice 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Social Development 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Ministry of Transport 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in New Zealand Customs Service 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in New Zealand Defence Force 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice at Waka Kotahi 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.OIA compliance and practice in Te Kawa Mataaho 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of ‘Ready or not?’, an investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies.Ready or not? OIA compliance and practice in 2022
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman’s investigation into OIA practices at 12 core agencies uncovers significant gaps in the way agencies are responding to journalists, training staff and keeping records.Omission by school board to consider behavioural support prior to exclusion of student
Case notesA School Board excluded a student for ‘continual disobedience’ under the Education and Training Act 2020. The Chief Ombudsman found the Board failed to properly examine the level of support offered to the student before excluding them.Inadequate record-keeping and unreasonable decisions by school board: Student discipline
Case notesInvestigations into decisions of Bethlehem College School Board to exclude a students on the basis of ‘gross misconduct’.OIA and LGOIMA complaints received 1 Jan - 30 June 2022
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.Report on an announced inspection of Pohutukawa Forensic Intellectual Disability Unit, Mason Clinic, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsBetween 12 and 15 April 2021, three Inspectors — whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf — made an announced inspection of Pohutukawa Forensic Intellectual Disability Unit (the Unit), within the Mason Clinic, located in Point Chevalier, Auckland.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Winter 2022 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. It includes an opinion piece from Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier on the OIA and LGOIMA, Mr Boshier’s submission to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission, a systemic investigation into the use of workshops by local councils is announced, and a stronger approach to delay deemed refusal complaints.He rauemi tātaki ea – A resource for offering an effective apology
GuidesPeople have the right to expect a high standard of administration by central and local government agencies. They expect agencies to act legally, fairly, and in a timely manner, and to be treated with respect in a way that is culturally appropriate.