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
Immigration Service fails to provide adequate opportunity to comment on adverse information and failed to give clear reasons for decline decision
Case notesImmigration-residence visas—applications provisionally approved and subsequently declined—reasons for declining not given at time of provisional approval-whether decisions to decline unlawful or unreasonable—whether procedures adopted in declining applications unreasonableDepartment of Internal Affairs administrative practice regarding prefix name in passports not unreasonable in the circumstances
Case notesRefusal to issue passports with names printed as requested-invasion of privacy-administrative convenienceDepartment of Social Welfare and unfair repayment of a loan
Case notesDepartment of Social Welfare-decision to require repayment of a suspensory loan granted under the Disabled Persons Community Welfare ActTransit New Zealand’s contractors required to act responsibly under terms of their contract
Case notesRoading reconstruction-affecting drainage on adjacent private property—damage to property by contractor during reconstruction—liability of Transit New Zealand for contractor’s actionDepartment of Social Welfare and inadequate advice for unsupported child benefit
Case notesAdvice given by Department on availability of financial assistance—remedy for financial lossMinistry of Transport fails to clarify driver licence record and offers payment for expenses incurred
Case notesCosts—unreasonable decision not to reimburse expensesPower Board unreasonable not to verify power-user’s explanation for unpaid invoice
Case notesDisputed electricity account—whether complainant resident at premises in questionImmigration Service fails to consider residence application in accordance with policy
Case notesUnreasonable decision to decline application for permanent residence Misapplication of policy following a policy changeDepartment of Labour delays processing travel claim
Case notesApprenticeship claim-delay in completing enquiry into travelling allowance—administrative checks institutedCouncil notice about GST charge, in the circumstances, not unreasonable
Case notesPayment of increased GST—timing of Notice—effect of rapid change in central and local governmentCouncil unreasonable to erect block wall on boundary
Case notesCity Council granted permission to erect a block wall on a boundary in contravention of Town Planning ordinances – it was unreasonable of Council to grant permission without neighbour’s consentCouncil advised Ministry of Works has copyright of its intellectual property
Case notesCharging—Commercial fee for use of designs/drawingsCouncil has responsibility to ensure drainage work completed to required standard
Case notesCompensation—adequacy of inspection carried out by council under Drainage and Plumbing Regulations 1978Council to improve oversight of contract for refuse collection
Case notesRefuse collections—change in frequency from weekly to monthlyCouncil processes when acquiring land for public road not unreasonable
Case notesCouncil’s failure to acquire land for a public roadArea Health Board prevented by legislation to perform surgery
Case notesCosts—unreasonable refusal to accept complainant’s payment of hip prosthesis, thereby delaying surgeryCoal Corporation required to minimise dust problem
Case notesAdequacy of Action–Failure of Coal Corporation to alleviate a coal dust problem and coal fine pond encroachment in the direction of local residents’ housesMinistry of Transport makes ex-gratia payment following its oppressive unreasonable decision
Case notesDecision to issue Traffic Offence Notice and proceed to prosecute for ‘Careless Use Causing Injury’ alleged to be unreasonableCouncils need to work within statutory framework when dealing with complaints about dogs
Case notesUnreasonable refusal to return impounded dog—placement of dog in another home or threat to do soAllegations against Area Health Board not sustained by Ombudsman but Board initiates proceedings against TVNZ
Case notesPublic allegations of misdiagnosis and ill treatment of child—effect of publicity on those involved—examination of non-broadcast material—complaints not sustained, but broadcast material unbalancedLocal Authority not responsible for loss to third party when its employee had accident outside work time
Case notesMotor vehicle accident with Board vehicle—reasonableness of decision not to compensate complainant for loss suffered as a result of the accidentCouncil accepts sub-delegation to Area Planner invalid
Case notesUnreasonable decision to grant dispensation to neighbour waiving a side yard boundary requirement in the District SchemeCouncil determination of noise nuisance not unreasonable
Case notesNoise Nuisance—permitting a rifle range to operate on property adjoining complainant’s-taking no action to alleviate noise nuisance created by rifle rangeCouncil had sufficient advice before making decision on water reticulation scheme
Case notesProposed water reticulation scheme full Council decision—section 13(1) Ombudsmen Act—whether the Council had sufficient information before it at the time to make the decisionCouncil not unreasonable to claim entitlement to non-refundable deposit
Case notesUnreasonable tendering of land when possible contract entered into – title of land not held by CouncilCouncil rates increase proportionate
Case notesRates—whether increase in rates levied was reasonable—whether incidence of rates levied on rural coastal residents was discriminatoryCouncil enforcement of Planning Tribunal ruling
Case notesFailure to enforce District Scheme requirements-resolved by Council initiating legal proceedingsNZ Superannuation Corporation provided incorrect advice incurring loss to complainant and offered ex gratia payment
Case notesIncorrect advice—Government Superannuation Fund—Voluntary SeveranceDepartment of Social Welfare error in employment issue
Case notesDispute over offer of employment—remedy available under Employment Contracts Act— Ombudsman exercised discretion under s 130(a) to investigate—employment offer reinstatedSchool Certificate examination scripts released
Case notesThe Minister of Education and the Department of Education were asked to release marked School Certificate Examination scripts. All the requests were refused; sections 52 (3), 9 (2)(b) and 27 (1) were relied on. However, this was changed following the Ombudsman's recommendation.Towards Open Government: Supplementary Report
Danks reportOur General Report recognised that before the Government made final decisions on its recommendations certain matters would require further examination.Towards Open Government (Danks Report)
Danks reportThese reports by the Danks Committee on Official Information led to the enactment of the Official Information Act in 1982.