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.
1429 Resources Show all
Delay in responding to request for certain briefings
Case notesFailure by the Minister for Courts to make and communicate his decision on a request for official information within extended time limit— contrary to lawNew case note – Complaints about Immigration New Zealand
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman has issued a case note which highlights a number of complaints about Immigration New Zealand’s decision-making on Skilled Migrant Category residence visa applications and the Employment Visa Escalation Scheme.Unreasonable actions throughout dealings with custodial caregiver
Case notesUse of incorrect, unverified information—failure to perform due diligence before removing mokopuna from grandmother—inadequate review of case, and inadequate response to review—failure to work with complainant in a way that met her needs as wEarly resolution of a toll fee imposed on previous vehicle owner
Case notesToll fee charged by Waka Kotahi to a previous vehicle owner who had left the country — Ombudsman inquiries with Waka Kotahi resulted in the toll fee being waived —complaint resolved without need for formal investigationOIA and LGOIMA complaints received July - December 2020
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for summer 2021 is out. In this issue:LGOIMA practice reports: Buller District Council, Invercargill City Council, Porirua City Council and Tauranga City Council
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThe Chief Ombudsman has released investigation reports into LGOIMA practice and compliance at Buller District Council, Invercargill City Council, Porirua City Council and Tauranga City Council.Making Disability Rights Real in a Pandemic
Disability rights reportsMaking Disability Rights Real in a Pandemic (NZSL) Making Disability Rights Real in a Pandemic (New Zealand Sign Language) - YouTubeReport on an unannounced inspection of Matawhāiti Residence 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).Annual Report 2019/20
Annual reportsCOVID-19. The pandemic which swept the world in 2020 is undoubtedly the defining event of the past year. It has further defined the role of Ombudsman.Final report on an unannounced inspection of Auckland 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).WorkSafe’s decision not to formally investigate an incident
Case notesComplaint about WorkSafe’s decision not to investigate and lay charges following an accident causing injury – failure to consider all relevant information – failure to engage meaningfully with the complainant – no evidence that documents had been faRequest for unredacted submissions on the Victoria University of Wellington name simplification proposal
Case notesRequest for copies of submissions made to Victoria University on its name simplification proposal – the University did not consult appropriately with the submitters before it published the submissions – submissions published with identifying detailsInvestigation into the Health and Disability Commissioner’s assessment of three complaints
OpinionsSummary It is my opinion that the former Health and Disability Commissioner’s (HDC’s) handling of three separate complaints was unreasonable.Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (December 2020)
Waka TangataOmbudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for spring 2020 is out. In this issue:Info sheet for detainees in MIQ facilities
FactsheetsThis information sheet is for people detained in a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility and sets out what is involved in an inspection by the Chief Ombudsman.Report on an unannounced inspection of Te Whetu Tāwera Adult Acute Mental Health Unit, Auckland City 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 sConfidentiality: 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.Confidentiality work sheet
Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is good reason to withhold ‘confidential information’ under section 9(2)(ba) of the OIA / 7(2)(c) of the LGOIMA, because release would be likely to (i) prejudice the supply of similar informaEarly resolution of decision to decline COVID-19 Wage Subsidy application
Case notesApplication for COVID-19 wage subsidy declined by Ministry of Social Development, even though complainant had registered as self-employed before the relevant date—Ombudsman inquiries with Ministry resulted in approval of application—complaint resolvPrivacy: 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.Privacy worksheet
Worksheets and other resourcesThis summary work sheet will help you to decide whether there is good reason to withhold official information under section 9(2)(a) of the OIA / 7(2)(a) of the LGOIMA, because it is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including deceasedRequest for information about volunteer rural constabulary programme
Case notesSection 9(2)(f)(iv) OIA applied to briefing from New Zealand Police to Minister—negotiations between coalition partners were still required, and disclosure would have prejudiced the orderly and effective conduct of the Government’s decision making proceDelay in responding to request for information about the Invited Visitor Policy and sponsorship
Case notesFailure by Antarctica New Zealand to make and communicate its decision on a request for official information within extended time limit—this appeared to be contrary to law—deemed to be a refusal under s 28(4)(b) OIA—investigation of deemed refusal commeConsultation on health and safety processes for Managed Isolation Facility
Case notesComplaint about level of consultation with residents before Stamford Plaza Hotel became a Managed Isolation Facility—Chief Ombudsman found that the Department did not consult appropriately with the residents before this occurred—the Department also didOIA and LGOIMA complaints January - June 2020
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for winter 2020 is out. In this issue:OPCAT: Ombudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities
OPCAT, FactsheetsOmbudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities Update: August 2020Report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Te Whare o Matairangi Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Wellington Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsThis report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Report on an unannounced inspection of He Puna Wāiora Mental Health Inpatient Unit, North Shore Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background 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 treReport on an unannounced inspection of Waiatarau Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Waitakere Hospital, under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExecutive Summary Background 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 tre