Resources and publications
Ngā rauemi me ngā tānga
Search our guides, case notes, opinions, reports and other information. Our 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.
1211 Resources Show all
Template letter 8: Consultation with requester before relying on section 18(f) OIA / section 17(f) LGOIMA
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersAgencies must consider consulting the requester before refusing a request on the grounds of substantial collation or research. This letter provides a basis for written consultation with the requester.Template letter 9: Confirming outcome of consultation with requester
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersThis letter can be used to confirm the outcome of consultation with the requester.Charging: A guide to charging for official information under the OIA and LGOIMA
Official informationThis guide provides advice for agencies about when and how to charge for the supply of official information.Template letter 10: Releasing the information in an alternative form
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersInformation can be released in an alternative form if meeting the requester's preference would impair the efficient administration of the agency. This letter can be used as a basis for conveying that decision.Template letter 11: Refusal letter under section 18(f) OIA / section 17(f) LGOIMA
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter when you need to refuse a request for official information because it would require substantial collation or research.Conclusive reasons for refusing requests: A guide to the conclusive withholding grounds in section 6 of the OIA and LGOIMA
Official informationThis is a guide to section 6 of the OIA and LGOIMA, which provides conclusive reasons for withholding official information. These reasons are not subject to a public interest test.Request for names and contact details in Department of Corrections’ emails
Case notesSection 9(2)(a) OIA did not apply to names—many of the names were publicly available— seniority— section 9(2)(g)(ii) did not apply to names—no evidence to suggest release would lead to improper pressure or harassment—section 9(2)(a) did not apply to emaTemplate letter 12: Refusal letter under section 18(d) OIA / section 17(d) LGOIMA—Information publicly available
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter when you need to refuse a request for official information because the information is publicly available.Template letter 13: Refusal letter under section 18(d) OIA / section 17(d) LGOIMA—Information soon to be publicly available
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersThis letter can be used to communicate the refusal of a request for official information because the information will be publicly available soon.Public interest: A guide to the public interest test
Official informationThe grounds for withholding official information in section 9 of the OIA and section 7 of the LGOIMA are subject to a ‘public interest test’.This is a guide to how the public interest test works in practice.Template letter 14: Advice that information has been published
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter to update the requester that information which was previously refused is now publicly available.Template letter 15: Advice that publication has been delayed
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter to update the requester that information which was intended to be published soon has been delayed.Privacy: A guide to section 9(2)(a) of the OIA and section 7(2)(a) of the LGOIMA
Official informationThis is a guide to the privacy withholding ground found in section 9(2)(a) of the OIA and section 7(2)(a) of the LGOIMA.Template letter 16: Refusal letter under section 18(h) OIA / section 17(h) LGOIMA
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter if you need to refuse a request under section 18(h) OIA / section 17(h) LGOIMA—Frivolous or vexatious request.Template letter 17: Information not held—no obligation to create it
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter where you need to refuse a request because the information is not held.Commercial information: A guide to sections 9(2)(b) and 9(2)(i) of the OIA and sections 7(2)(b) and 7(2)(h) of the LGOIMA
Official informationThis is a guide to the commercial withholding grounds in sections 9(2)(b) and 9(2)(i) of the OIA and sections 7(2)(b) and 7(2)(h) of the LGOIMA.Template letter 18: Aggressive or abusive language
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter when you need to refuse a request due to aggressive or abusive language.Template letter 19: Refusal letter under section 18(e) OIA / section 17(e) LGOIMA—Document does not exist or cannot be found
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersThis letter can be used to refuse a request because the document does not exist / cannot be found.The OIA and the public tender process
Official informationA guide to how the OIA applies to information generated in the context of a public tender process.Template letter 20: Refusal letter under section 18(g) OIA / section 17(g) LGOIMA—Information not held
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersThis letter can be used to refuse a request because the information is not held.Template letter 21: Letter refusing information excluded from the definition of ‘official information’
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersThis letter can be used to refuse a request for information that is excluded from the OIA or LGOIMA.Confidentiality: A guide to section 9(2)(ba) of the OIA and section 7(2)(c) of the LGOIMA
Official informationThis is a guide to the confidentiality withholding ground found in section 9(2)(ba) of the OIA and section 7(2)(c) of the LGOIMA.Template letter 22: Letter refusing information not held in Minister’s official capacity
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersThis letter can be used to refuse a request for information that is not held by a Minister in their official capacity.Template letter 23: Consultation with requester before relying on section 18(e) or (g) OIA / 17(e) or (g) LGOIMA
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersAgencies must consider consulting the requester before refusing a request on the grounds that the requested document does not exist or cannot be found.Confidential advice to government: A guide to section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the OIA
Official informationOne reason for withholding official information is to ‘maintain the constitutional convention protecting the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers and officials’—section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the OIA.Template letter 24: letter to requesters where third party consultation is necessary
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter to let the requester know you need to consult an external third party.Commercial information work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet is about the most commonly used grounds for withholding commercial information—unreasonable prejudice to a third party’s commercial position, and prejudice or disadvantage to an agency’s commercial activities.Template letter 25: Consultation with third parties
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter to consult an external third party on an OIA request.The OIA and the public policy making process: A guide to how the OIA applies to information generated in the context of the public policy making process
Official informationThis guide explains the most common reasons why it can sometimes be necessary to withhold official information generated in the context of the public policy making process.Negotiations work sheet
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is good reason to withhold official information under the negotiations withholding ground.Template letter 26: Informing third parties of the decision on the request
Template letters and worksheets, Template lettersUse this letter to let a third party that you’ve consulted know your decision on an OIA request.Work sheet for dealing with public tender information
Template letters and worksheets, Worksheets and other resourcesThis work sheet summarises guidance on dealing with public tender-related information, including responding to OIA / LGOIMA requests for such information.