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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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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.
1423 Resources Show all
Council agrees to change basis for imposing fees for licence to occupy in small community following complaint from permanent residents
Case notesFees for licence to occupy reserve land—differential between permanent and non-permanent residentsCouncil required to serve notice for noise nuisance
Case notesFailure to reduce noise nuisanceCouncil accepts further discussion required with public over road closure decision
Case notesClosure of a public road during winter monthsPower Board agrees to refund person who was unaware of power-saving switch
Case notesFailure to charge for water heating power supply at appropriate rate—installation of system entitling consumer to concessionary rate not notified to power supply authority—no fault of complainant or authority—authority had benefit of power savingsCouncil agrees to pay for part of fence removed for road widening
Case notesDelay in Council replying to complainant’s correspondence relating to the matter—unclear whether undertaking had been made—on balance probableSchool Board of Trustees delivers inconsistent punishment to students
Case notesExpulsion—smoking—improper discrimination by Board of Trustees vis-a-vis another pupil— recommendation to delete information from recordsAccident Compensation Corporation delays to review case caused financial hardship
Case notesLong term pain from back problem— ACC—manner of obtaining report-delays in review processCouncil waives fee for replacing pipes as gesture of goodwill
Case notesCharging for faulty work—whether County Council responsibleCouncil failed to adhere to conditions to dump refuse on leasehold land
Case notesFailure to reduce a smell nuisanceMarlborough Forestry Corporation’s sub-committee procedures fall short of standard required
Case notesConflict between staff and members of Board—importance of record keeping—question of minutes reflecting intentions of organisationCouncil agrees to reimburse legal fees where complainant lost opportunity to make submission
Case notesLegal costs—Council refusal to reimburse complainantPower Board decision to disconnect power unreasonable in the circumstances
Case notesElectric Power Board decision to disconnect power to a consumer’s home unreasonableCouncil acquires land by transfer to resolve dispute over undedicated land
Case notesFailure to maintain undedicated landCouncil’s processes regarding consent application not unreasonable, but inadequate response to complainant’s inquiries
Case notesPlanning application—dispensation under s 76(3) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1977— complainant overseas, not notified of outcome of applicationCouncil accepts it should fix issue over storm water drain
Case notesStormwater drainage for potential subdivision—effect of conditions of previous subdivision consents—Council obligations to supply outfallCouncil takes action to reduce noise nuisance from aircraft testing facility
Case notesNoise nuisance-aircraft engine testing at night—responsibilities of local authorityLocal Authority failed to require abatement of noise nuisance
Case notesLocal Authority had not enforced a Transitional District Plan in respect of the use of a dwelling—complainant’s neighbour had been using his home property to repair racing cars and the noise detrimentally affected the neighbourhood—Ombudsman found the Council had failed to require abatement of a noise nuisance but then agreed to do so—complaint discontinued on basis of Council’s actionsDepartment 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 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 unreasonableDepartment of Justice charged inmate incorrect amount for escort to attend tangi
Case notesExcessive charge arising from escort of prison inmate—correspondence—failure of Department to replyPublic Trust’s practice of charging release fee on mortgage contrary to law
Case notesMortgagee–mortgage release fee–implied condition to recover expenses–whether extends to mortgagee charging fee for work of in-house solicitorMinistry of Transport not unreasonable to take car keys off driver failing breath test
Case notesTreatment by traffic officers of suspected drunken driver and passenger—adequacy of the law relating to passengers wishing to drive—adequacy of administrative procedures for handling suspected drunken driversDepartment of Social Welfare agrees to reconsider offer of severance payment for employee
Case notesApplication of redundancy provisions in Employment Agreement to part-time employee—part-time employment offered on permanent basis—employee made redundant after 60th birthday and excluded from severance provisions—department reconsidered and agreed to pay severanceDepartment of Justice allows same day parole for husband and wife
Case notesA husband and wife serving prison sentences at the same time—same day parole allowedCouncil should have berm maintenance policy
Case notesMaintenance of berms—Council should have consistent policyDepartment of Social Welfare required to offer travel expenses to disabled person
Case notesReimbursement of travelling expenses pursuant to s.13 of Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975—whether application by pregnant diabetic constituted permanent disability—Department decided specialist oversight necessitated by longstanding diabetic condition and approved paymentDepartment of Labour failed to provide adequate support to training provider
Case notesREAC/Department of Labour-unfair treatment of training provider—lack of just and fair procedures—accurate recording of information—right to a fair hearingDepartment of Justice failed to provide adequate opportunity for community comment on courtroom closure
Case notesAdvice to Minister re Court closure-whether fair and accurate—need for standard criteria to be adopted and appliedImmigration Service delays to process permit reconsideration prompting staff training
Case notesImmigration—work permit—delay in reconsidering application-reconsideration process—staffing and training analysis—complaints resolvedAdequacy of Council's public consultation on traffic plan
Case notesChanges to traffic markings—detrimental effect on local church—Council’s main duty to enhance road safetyCouncil changes policy on remittance of penalties in certain circumstances
Case notesRates—late payment penaltyMinistry of Transport should convey outcome of review into traffic accident involving its staff and public
Case notesAdequacy of investigation into complaints about an accident—adequacy of investigation into accident–case for administrative review of accident and complaint procedures where accidents occur involving a traffic officer and a member of the public