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.
1546 Resources Show all
Ministry of Social Development's processes for considering claims of abuse in care
OpinionsCooper Legal complained to me that the historic claims process was unreasonable and unjust in several respects. The complaint is wide ranging, involving criticisms of the processes for considering claims and the amounts payable under it.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2024
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review:Good practice for Meetings and Workshops
Good administrationThis guide is to assist local government agencies including city, district and regional councils to define the differences between meetings and workshops and to outline the Ombudsman expectations of local government agencies when conducting workshops.Terms of reference for Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System
Projects, reference & dataThese terms of reference set out how the Ombudsman, the Aroturuki Tamariki and Mana Mokopuna will work together to strengthen the oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system.Request for grounds in support of reason for withholding information about the Aarhus Convention
Case notesFailure by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide grounds for refusal of an information request, when asked to do so under section 19(a)(ii) – Ministry reiterated statutory reasons for refusal instead of giving fuller explanation – ChFailure by Oranga Tamariki to investigate reports of concern and complaints
Case notesComplaint about failure by Oranga Tamariki to adequately respond to multiple reports of concern – Ombudsman formed opinion Oranga Tamariki acted unreasonably and contrary to law – investigation raised significant issues of failing to follow correct procChief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2023/2024
Annual reportsNavigating the path in a time of change and uncertainty can be difficult. Holding fast to your core purpose and values is vital. So too, is lighting the way for others where you can.Minister did not hold information on who wrote or compiled tobacco policy notes
Case notesAssociate Minister of Health refused a request for information about who wrote or compiled notes the Minister provided to officials on tobacco policy.Tuia kia ōrite | Keeping things fair – fairness teaching resources
For schools and kuraTuia kia ōrite and Keeping Things Fair are teaching resources to support civics learning for ākonga (students) ranging from years 1 to 10.Terms of reference for local council official information practice investigation
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis document sets out the terms of reference for a self-initiated investigation by the Chief Ombudsman into the practices of the Council relating to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.Terms of reference for Auckland Transport official information practice investigation
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis document sets out the terms of reference for a self-initiated investigation by the Chief Ombudsman into the practices of Auckland Transport relating to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.Terms of reference for Wellington Water official information practice investigation
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis document sets out the terms of reference for a self-initiated investigation by the Chief Ombudsman into the practices of Wellington Water relating to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).OIA and LGOIMA complaints received between 1 January and 30 June 2024
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on Official Information Act (OIA) and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) complaints on a six-monthly basis.Requests for information about decisions of school board declined as the request was vexatious
Case notesA requester made three information requests to a school Board over the course of several months.Request for names of people who wrote to the Minister of Local Government in support of the extension of Tauranga City Council Commissioners’ terms
Case notesA complainant made a request to the Department of Internal Affairs for a list of the individuals and organisations that had expressed support to the Minister of Local Government for the extension of the Tauranga City Council Commissioners’ termsOmbudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2024
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)Read about the work we have been doing such as:Request for official information about conditions of prison rooms
Case notesAra Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections failed to communicate a decision on a request by a prisoner for official information within the statutory timeframe.Submission on the Inquiry into the aged care sector’s current and future capacity to provide support services for people experiencing neurological cognitive disorders
SubmissionsThank you for the opportunity to provide a submission on this inquiry.School Board acted unreasonably by failing to adequately communicate reasons
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman found the Cashmere High School Board did not act unreasonably in declining enrolment for out-of-zone student.School Board decision to exclude student unreasonable
Case notesChief Ombudsman investigation identified significant issues around decision making and record keeping by St Peter’s College School Board.The Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) Terms of Reference
Disability rights projectsThis page contains more information about the membership of the IMM and how it operates. The IMM's Terms of Reference is also available in:Submissions of the Chief Ombudsman on the review of adult decision-making capacity law
SubmissionsThe Chief Ombudsman has made submissions for the review conducted by Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law CommissionSubmission on Education and Training Amendment Bill
SubmissionsThis submission was made to the Education and Workforce Committee on 25 July 2024.Advice provided to Ministers regarding the Fast-track Approvals Bill
OpinionsThe Department refused this request under section 18(d) of the Official Information Act (OIA) as the information requested was soon to be made publicly available. I have formed the final opinion that the Department’s decision was not lawful.Requests for information about smokefree legislation
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received complaints from two requesters concerning decisions by the Associate Minister of Health (Associate Minister) on their requests for information about the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022 and its proposed repeal. The requests also covered information on tobacco and vaping policies.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Henry Rongomau Bennett – Waiora Waikato Hospital, Hamilton
OPCAT reportsFrom 24 to 26 May 2022, three teams of two Inspectors – whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf – made announced three-day inspections to Puna Maatai, Puna Awhi-rua, and Puna Poipoi Wards at Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Te Whetu Tawera – Auckland City Hospital
OPCAT reportsFrom 23 to 25 August 2022, two Inspectors – whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under the COTA on my behalf – made an announced three-day inspection to Te Whetu Tawera.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Ward 6C, Dunedin Hospital
OPCAT reportsOn 6 and 7 September 2022, two Inspectors - whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf - made an announced two-day inspection of Ward 6C, Dunedin Hospital.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Te Whare Oranga Tangata o Whakaue Unit, Rotorua Hospital
OPCAT reportsFrom 23 November 2021, a team of two Inspectors – whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under the COTA on my behalf – made an announced two-day inspection to the Unit.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Ward 9A, Wakari Hospital, Dunedin
OPCAT reportsFrom 27 to 30 September 2022, two Inspectors - whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf - made an announced four-day inspection to Ward 9A at Wakari Hospital, Dunedin.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Ward 9B Wakari Hospital, Dunedin
OPCAT reportsFrom 26 to 30 September 2022, two Inspectors – whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under the COTA on my behalf – made an announced five-day inspection to Ward 9B at Wakari Hospital in Dunedin.Report on an announced follow up inspection of He Puna Waiora Mental Health Inpatient Unit, North Shore Hospital Campus
OPCAT reportsBetween 23 and 26 August 2022, two Inspectors – who I have authorised to visit places of detention under COTA on my behalf - made an announced four-day inspection of the He Puna Waiora Mental Health Inpatient Unit.