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.
1418 Resources Show all
Report on an unannounced inspection of Otago Corrections Facility under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis report examines the conditions and treatment of prisoners detained in Otago Corrections Facility. I authorised my Inspectors to conduct a seven-day inspection of the Prison from 5 October to 11 October 2020.Guidance on when to engage the Ombudsman in law reform proposals
GuidesThis guidance sets out why and when an Ombudsman should be engaged in law reform process and the Ombudsman's view on some key questions that are likely to arise.Disability Rights: How is New Zealand doing?
Disability rightsThis summary report updates the Committee, and the New Zealand Parliament and public, with recent information on the priority areas that prevent disabled people in New Zealand from realising their full suite of human rights as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.Checklist: Protecting whistleblower confidentiality
Protected Disclosures ActThis checklist will assist if you or your organisation has received a protected disclosure about serious wrongdoing in your workplace.Checklist – Am I ready to make a protected disclosure?
Protected Disclosures ActThis checklist will assist if you are considering making a protected disclosure about serious wrongdoing in your workplace, or wondering whether you need more information and guidance.Information for residents' point of contact: Upcoming inspection by the Chief Ombudsman’s team
FactsheetsA letter to residents of aged care facilities where the Chief Ombudsman is carrying out an inspection.Making a protected disclosure - a guide to "blowing the whistle"
Protected Disclosures ActIf you’re concerned about serious wrongdoing in or by your organisation, the Ombudsman is able to provide information and guidance.Protected disclosures – guidance on internal policies and procedures
Guides, Protected Disclosures ActIf your organisation is looking to encourage an open reporting culture, or is currently grappling with how to handle a protected disclosure by one of your employees about serious wrongdoing in your workplace, the Ombudsman can provide guidance.Ombudsman’s approach to delay complaints
GuidesThe Chief Ombudsman has decided to make changes to his handling of delay complaints alleging breaches by public sector agencies of the maximum statutory timeframe obligations set out in the Official Information Act and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. He considers these laws to be cornerstones of New Zealand’s democracy.Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (June 2022)
Waka TangataLack of review mechanism for community participation services funding unreasonable
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint about the level of Community Participation Services provided by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).Ministerial notifications and the obligation to communicate decisions ‘as soon as reasonably practicable’
Case notesComplaint to the Ombudsman, raising Police’s obligations to communicate a decision to them ‘as soon as reasonably practicable'.Requests for information relating to the COVID-19 vaccination programme
Case notesA requester sought a broad range of clinical information provided to Medsafe by the pharmaceutical companies that were developing the COVID-19 vaccine, including safety trial data.Delay in responding to request for information about transferrals between hospitals
Case notesOn 18 February 2021, the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) received a request for official information, and transferred it to the Southern District Health Board. On 28 September 2021, the requester emailed the Board about the lack of response to her request, and made a complaint to the Ombudsman.Inaugural Pūhara Mana Tangata report for 2020/2021
Annual reportsThe Chief Ombudsman’s Māori panel – Pūhara Mana Tangata – has published a report of its first two years in operation.Requests for information deemed vexatious and not in good faith due to offensive language
Case notesA complainant made a number of information requests to Inland Revenue Department for information on the same subject. IR refused four of these requests because it considered each request ‘to be offensive and an abuse of the right to access official Information’.Expectations for conditions and treatment of residents in health and disability places of detention – aged care
OPCATThis resource is intended to provide an understanding of some of the matters the Chief Ombudsman considers when monitoring aged care facilities.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)This edition includes Ombudsman’s opinion on the Erebus Memorial consultation process, third report highlights overrepresentation of Māori in mental health seclusion, Chief Ombudsman elected as Second Vice President of IOI, council not entitled to withhold internal workshop presentation.OPCAT aged care monitoring programme
FactsheetsReport on an unannounced inspection of Ward 21, Palmerston North Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsBetween 18 and 21 May 2021, 2 Inspectors — whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf — made an unannounced four day inspection of Ward 21, Palmerston North Hospital.Report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Toki Maurere Unit, Whakatāne Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis 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 between 26 and 28 July 2021.Report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Whare Maiangiangi Unit, Tauranga Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 Primary tabs
OPCATThis 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 inspected on 16 and 17 August 2021.OPCAT Report: Thematic report on inspections of secure intellectual disability facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis report provides a summary of my findings and recommendations in relation to inspections conducted between 14 August 2019 and 4 June 2020 of 17 secure residences where people with intellectual disabilities were detained. At the time of my inspections in June 2020, New Zealand was at COVID-19 Alert Level 2.Request for data gathered by Inland Revenue contractor
Case notesThe 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
OpinionsI have found that the lack of consultation by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage/Manatū Taonga before forming a preference in August 2018 for Dove-Myer Robinson Park/Taurarua as the site for the National Erebus Memorial was unreasonable.OIA and LGOIMA complaints July - December 2021
Complaints dataThis data lists the Minister or agency involved, the nature of the complaint, and whether the complaint came from a private individual, the media, a political party or other type of organisation.Council not entitled to withhold internal workshop presentation
Case notesIn September 2020, a workshop was held to discuss short-listed wastewater treatment options. No decisions about the options were made. A journalist requested a copy of the information presented at the workshop.Analyses 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.Failure of Immigration New Zealand to provide interpreter at border
Case notesIn March 2016, an Immigration New Zealand (INZ) officer interviewed the complainant upon their arrival to New Zealand. The complainant’s first language is Hindi and they speak relatively limited English. The interview was conducted in English and was video-recorded.Unreasonable decision of Board of Trustees to trespass student without opportunity to comment
Case notesThe trespass notice meant the student was unable to travel on the school bus, as the bus passed through the school’s bus bay on the way to the student’s own school. The family considered that the Board did not adequately consider the implications and complained to the Chief Ombudsman.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue 2022 marks 60 years since the first New Zealand Ombudsman was sworn in, Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier gravely concerned by volatile environment at intellectual disability facility, Peter Boshier reaffirms the Ombudsman’s commitment to Te Tiriti during Waitangi, Guide on regulatory policy design during COVID-19, New case notes and more.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.