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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.
1521 Resources Show all
Open for business: A report on the Chief Ombudsman’s investigation into local council meetings and workshops
Official Information Practice InvestigationsA report on the Chief Ombudsman’s investigation into workshop and meeting practices of eight local authorities for the purpose of compliance with the principles and purposes of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.Meeting and workshop practices at Clutha District Council 2023
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of 'Open for business', a report on local council meetings and workshops.Meeting and Workshop practices in Rotorua Lakes Council 2023
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of 'Open for business', a report on local council meetings and workshops.Meeting and workshop practices at Palmerston North City Council 2023
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of 'Open for business', a report on local council meetings and workshops.Meeting and workshop practices in Waimakariri District Council 2023
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of 'Open for business', a report on local council meetings and workshops.Meeting and workshop practices at Rangitīkei District Council 2023
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of 'Open for business', a report on local council meetings and workshops.Meeting and workshop practices at Taranaki Regional Council 2023
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of 'Open for business', a report on local council meetings and workshops.Meeting and workshop practices in Timaru District Council 2023
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of 'Open for business', a report on local council meetings and workshops.Meeting and workshop practices at Taupō District Council 2023
Official Information Practice InvestigationsThis report was released as part of 'Open for business', a report on local council meetings and workshops.Chief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2022/2023
Annual reports… I also engaged with a wide range of people involved in the Oranga Tamariki system, and specialist bodies for older and younger … giving me enhanced powers to investigate and monitor Oranga Tamariki and its care or custody providers. Demand for …Request for official information about scholarship criteria framed as question
Case notesFailure by the Ministry of Education to respond to a request for official information within the statutory timeframe – Ministry did not process the request as an OIA request as Ministry considered that it required the generation of comment – OmbudsmChief Ombudsman's Strategic Intentions - 2023 to 2028
Strategic intentions… and proactive monitoring and intervention in relation to Oranga Tamariki and its care or custody providers. My role in the …Report on an announced follow up inspection of Matawhāiti Residence under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExcerpt from recommendations I am making one repeat recommendation, one amended recommendation, and three new recommendations based on my 2022 inspection.Report on an announced targeted inspection of Manawatu Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsExcerpt from Recommendations I make the following recommendations for improving the conditions and treatment of those in the Prison:Release of recording or transcript of a speech by then Minister Hon Kiritapu Allan
OpinionsThree people made requests to Radio New Zealand (RNZ) for audio recordings of a speech made by then Minister Hon Kiritapu Allan, in her personal capacity, at a farewell ceremony which RNZ organised for the Minister’s then fiancée, Ms Māni Dunlop.Complaint from rangatahi about experience in care
Case notesThe Chief Ombudsman received a complaint from a young person who came into the care of Oranga Tamariki as an infant.Submission on the fourth Universal Periodic Review of New Zealand
SubmissionsThis submission was made to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.Unreasonable omission by WorkSafe to adequately consider hazard mitigation for serious incident
Case notesComplaint concerning the adequacy of WorkSafe’s investigation into a serious choking incident at an early childhood service leaving a young child severely disabledAccessibility Strategy and Action Plan
Disability rights projectsListen to an audio recording of the overview Watch an the overview in New Zealand Sign LanguageOIA and LGOIMA complaints received between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2023
Complaints dataThe Chief Ombudsman publishes data on OIA and LGOIMA complaints on a six-monthly basis.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Winter 2023 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. In this issue:Comment on Corrections Amendment Bill
SubmissionsThe Chief Ombudsman made a submission to the Justice Committee on the Corrections Amendment Bill in August 2023.Children in Care - published outcomes of complaints
Case notes… at whether there were any systemic issues connected to Oranga Tamariki’s policies, procedures and practices relating to the … interim custody orders. Complaint about the actions of Oranga Tamariki in relation to the death of a young …Our children in care complaint process – child view
Factsheets… which is designed for children and young people in the Oranga Tamariki system. View the full version of our complaints …Our children in care complaint process – adult view
Factsheets… This diagram shows how to make a complaint about Oranga Tamariki or one of its Care or Custody Providers. Alternate …Summary of the Ombudsman's submission to the United Nations Committee against Torture
OPCATKey themes for the Committee’s consideration In the period between the Committee against Torture’s last review of New Zealand in 2015 and the present, I have conducted over 500 visits to places of detention.Report on an announced targeted inspection of Christchurch Women’s Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsIntroduction Following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), as designated under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Report on an announced targeted inspection of Arohata Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
OPCAT reportsIntroduction Following report has been prepared in my capacity as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), as designated under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA).Request for communications regarding Minister Kiritapu Allan
OpinionsAn MP made a request to the MBIE for correspondence regarding the behaviour or conduct of the Minister for Justice and Regional Development, and Associate Minister for Transport and Finance, Hon Kiritapu Allan.OIA self-assessment tool
Official informationThis self-assessment tool is one of a number of initiatives from the Chief Ombudsman's office providing support and assistance to lift public sector capability in order to improve the administration, decision-making and compliance with official informatSubmission to the 77th session of the Committee against Torture
SubmissionsThis submission was made to the United Nations Committee against Torture in July 2023. Read about the Committee against TortureChief Ombudsman’s opinion on OIA complaints about the refusal of Covid-19 vaccine contracts
Official informationSummary The Ministry of Health, Minister for COVID-19 Response, and Minister of Finance received multiple OIA requests for copies of the contracts between the Government and pharmaceutical companies for the supply of Covid-19 vaccines.