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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.
1527 Resources Show all
Report on an unannounced inspection of Kingsley Mortimer Unit, North Shore
OPCAT reportsFrom 6 to 10 March, a team of two Inspectors - whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under COTA on my behalf - made an unannounced five-day inspection to the Kingsley Mortimer Unit.Complaints about government agencies
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet explains the process for complaining about government agencies.About the Ombudsman
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet gives an overview of the Ombudsman’s role.Disabled or Deaf? Being treated fairly by government agencies
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet explains what the Ombudsman does for disabled and Deaf people.Official information requests
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet explains what official information is, how to request it, and how the Ombudsman can help.Reporting serious wrongdoing at work (whistleblowing)
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet explains how to disclose serious wrongdoing in the workplace, and how the Ombudsman’s can help.Making complaints about prisons and Community Corrections
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet explains what the Ombudsman can do for people in prison, or on a community based sentence or order.How the Ombudsman can help
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet gives an overview of what the Ombudsman does in te reo Māori and English.Schools and the Ombudsman
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet explains the Ombudsman’s role in relation to schools.Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (June 2024)
Waka TangataNews and views from integrity organisations in the Pacific and Australasia.Finance and Expenditure Committee’s Inquiry into climate adaptation
SubmissionsThis submission was made to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on 13 June 2024.Submission on the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill
SubmissionsOmbudsman's submission on the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill I write to you on behalf of the Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier.Meaning of ‘appropriate authority’ – a Protected Disclosures Act guide
Protected Disclosures ActThis guide provides information and guidance for disclosers about the meaning of an ‘appropriate authority’ and who a protected disclosure may be made to.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2024
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue the Chief Ombudsman’s New Zealand Defence Force final opinion; a summary of the Ombudsman’s submission on the Fast-Track Approval Bill; a new learning platform for public sector staff; and a new guide on getting support and making a complaint in the Oranga Tamariki system.Provision of information about Operation Burnham to the Ombudsman
Case notesSelf-initiated investigation by Ombudsman into allegations Ombudsman was misled by NZDF in previous OIA investigation relating to information about Operation Burnham—additional relevant information identified and released in Burnham Inquiry—Ombudsman ofExpectations for the conditions and treatment of people detained in court facilities
OPCATThis document sets out the Ombudsman and IPCA’s expectations for the conditions and treatment of people detained in court facilities (detainees).Submission of the Ombudsman – Fast-track Approvals Bill
SubmissionsThe Ombudsman made a submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, which is now available to read.International Ombudsman Self-Assessment Tool
GuidesThis tool is designed to help Ombudsman offices to benchmark their functions and capabilities against regional and international best practice.Factsheet: Ombudsman role with Oranga Tamariki care or custody providers
FactsheetsUnder the law, the Ombudsman is able to receive complaints about the support and services provided by care and custody providers. The Ombudsman also has a role to provide guidance to care and custody providers on managing the complaints they receive.Expectations for conditions and treatment of tāngata whaikaha in health and disability places of detention (intellectual disability and community secure services)
OPCATThe Ombudsman is designated to examine and monitor the treatment of persons in health and disability places of detention, including tāngata whaikaha in intellectual disability and community secure services.Expectations for conditions and treatment of residents in health and disability places of detention (aged residential care)
OPCATThe Ombudsman is designated to examine and monitor the treatment of persons in health and disability places of detention, including residents in aged residential care.Getting support and making a complaint in the Oranga Tamariki system
Pamphlets and postersA guide to advocacy, monitoring and complaints for tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people) and their whānau (family).OIA and LGOIMA complaints received between 1 July and 31 December 2023
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.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2024
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review for Summer 2024 is out now. In this issue:Omission by the Ministry of Education to develop an implementation framework to enable progress on its strategy on New Zealand Sign Language in education
OpinionsRepresentatives from a Deaf Disabled People’s Organisation (Deaf Aotearoa), who advocate for the rights of Deaf people in New Zealand, have raised concerns about the Ministry of Education’s (the Ministry) strategy to progress New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) in education.Expectations for conditions and treatment of tāngata whai ora in health and disability places of detention
OPCATAs the Chief Ombudsman, I am designated to examine and monitor the treatment of persons detained in health and disability places of detention.[1] This includes mental health services where people are unable to leave at will.Children in care: complaints to the Ombudsman 2019–2023
ReportsA report identifying the themes emerging from complaints and enquiries made between 2019 and 2023 about Oranga Tamariki.Report on an announced follow up inspection of Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa – Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre
OPCAT reportsOn 27 July 2022, a team of two Inspectors made an announced one-day follow up inspection of Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa – Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre.Inland Revenue refusal to provide tracing information for overseas borrowers justified
Case notesA complainant requested information from Inland Revenue about how it traces student loan overseas. Inland Revenue refused the request on grounds it would be contrary to the provisions of the Tax Administration Act.Insights and Observations: The Chief Ombudsman's report on extreme weather events 2023
ReportsExtreme weather events that ravaged the country in early 2023 caused significant damage and loss of life. To ensure he understood the extent of the devastation and the challenges the country now faces, Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier embarked on an engagement and outreach programme.Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (December 2023)
Waka TangataISSUE 12: News and views from integrity organisations in the Pacific and AustralasiaProtected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 guide for Ministers
Protected Disclosures ActThis guide provides information and guidance for Ministers who may receive protected disclosures.