Resources and publications
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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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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.
1376 Resources Show all
Report on an unannounced inspection of Ward 21, Palmerston North Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background Ombudsmen are 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 tānReport on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Whare Maiangiangi Unit, Tauranga Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 Primary tabs
OPCAT projectsExecutive Summary Background This report sets out my findings and recommendations concerning the conditions and treatment of people detained in Te Whare Maiangiangi Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (the Unit), which was inspectedReport on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Toki Maurere Unit, Whakatāne Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background This report sets out my findings and recommendations concerning the treatment and conditions of people detained in Te Toki Maurere Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (the Unit), which was inspected betwOPCAT Report: Thematic report on inspections of secure intellectual disability facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsRequest for data gathered by Inland Revenue contractor
Case notesOutcome The Ombudsman formed the opinion that it was unreasonable for IR to rely on sections 18(e) and 18(c)(i) of the OIA in this case.Chief Ombudsman’s opinion under the Ombudsmen Act - Erebus Memorial
OpinionsSummary I have found that the lack of consultation by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage/Manatū Taonga (the Ministry) before forming a preference in August 2018 for Dove-Myer Robinson Park/Taurarua as the site for the National ErebusOIA and LGOIMA complaints July - December 2021
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis. Complaints receivedCouncil not entitled to withhold internal workshop presentation
Case notesSummary Council was not entitled to refuse release of PowerPoint presented at a workshop – Section 7(2)(f)(i) of LGOIMA did not apply – no evidence showing that future exchange of free and frank opinions would be inhibited – LGOIMA provisiAnalyses of electronic commerce chapter of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
Case notesRequest to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for analyses of electronic commerce chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and other trade negotiations – Sections 6(a), 6(b)(i), 9(2)(g)(i), 9(2)(h) and 9(2)(j) of the Official InformatioFailure of Immigration New Zealand to provide interpreter at border
Case notesThe complainant consented to be interviewed at New Zealand border without an interpreter – INZ refused entry - Ombudsman not convinced that complainant adequately understood the questions - Ombudsman formed the opinion that INZ’s decision to conductUnreasonable decision of Board of Trustees to trespass student without opportunity to comment
Case notesStudent trespassed after planning and holding a fight on school grounds – Chief Ombudsman found the student’s family was not given an opportunity to comment before the trespass decision was finalised – Ombudsman recommended that the Board of TrusteeOmbudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Summer 2022 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. In this issue:FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19
Official informationThis guide answers questions from agencies and requesters about dealing with official information requests during the COVID-19 emergency. It:Report on an announced inspection of Manaakitanga Inpatient Unit, Te Nīkau Grey Base Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are 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 patiReport on an unannounced inspection of Ward 10a and Helensburgh Cottage, Wakari Hospital Dunedin, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions of detention and tReport on an unannounced inspection of Wāhi Oranga Mental Health Admission Unit, Nelson Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as 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 tReport on an unannounced inspection of Ward 6C, Dunedin Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are 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 patiReport on an unannounced inspection of the Fraser McDonald Unit, Auckland District Health Board, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are 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 patiRequests to Ministry of Health and ESR for Covid-19 cycle threshold values
Case notesRequest for information about Covid-19 testing results (cycle threshold values of every positive Covid-19 test)— Ombudsman accepted that the Covid-19 response is a measure to protect public health and safety — However, the harm of releasing data wasJoint Council Committees decision to exclude public from meeting not justified
Case notesPublic excluded from meeting under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 – Ombudsman found that application of section 48(1) not justified – the likelihood of harm to the Councils’ commercial operations andUnreasonable advice about decision to exclude public: Licensing Trust
Case notesPublic excluded from meeting under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 – Ombudsman found that Trust acted unreasonably — no clear basis for advice provided by Chief Executive that public should be excludeRegulatory policy design during COVID-19 pandemic
Good administrationThis guidance is intended to assist government agencies in designing and implementing robust, fair, and fit-for-purpose, regulatory policies[1] that enable the fair administration of government policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Delay in responding to a request for information about cannabis-related medicines
Case notesFailure by the Ministry of Health to make and communicate a decision on a request for official information within extended time limit— contrary to law— decision to extend the time limit also unreasonableRequests for vaccine pricing and contracted delivery schedules
Case notesRequest for information about vaccine pricing and delivery schedules – information subject to an obligation of confidence in terms of section 9(2)(ba)(ii) – the interest in withholding the information not outweighed by the public interest in release.Unreasonable extension of time limit for internal consultations
Case notesRequest for information about OIA statistics—extension to time limit for responding to request – notified on basis of need to undertake consultations—internal review and sign-out process is part of making a decision and not consultation for the purpose of s15A – decision to extend unreasonableOmbudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for Spring 2021 is out. In this issue:Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (November 2021)
Waka TangataRequest for information concerning increase in number of cochlear implants
Case notesSection 9(2)(f)(iv) OIA applied to costing information and detailed analysis regarding unsuccessful Budget 2020 bid which had been resubmitted for consideration through the 2021 Budget process – small amount of high level information about the existReport on an unannounced inspection of Pūrehurehu Forensic Acute Mental Health Unit, Rātonga-Rua-O-Porirua Campus, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as 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 pReport on an unannounced inspection of Haumietiketike Unit, Rātonga-Rua-O-Porirua Campus, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as 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 cReport on an unannounced inspection of Tāwhirimātea Rehabilitation Unit, Rātonga-Rua-O-Porirua Campus, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as 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 cReport on an unannounced inspection of Rangipapa Forensic Acute Mental Health Unit, Rātonga-Rua-O-Porirua Campus, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive summary Background Ombudsmen are designated as 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 c