Ombudsmen
Ombudsmen are independent Officers of Parliament who investigate complaints against central and local government agencies (including, in the case of the official information legislation, Ministers of the Crown).
The powers and functions of the Ombudsmen are contained in five main pieces of legislation:
- The Ombudsmen Act 1975;
- The Official Information Act 1982;
- The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987;
- The Crimes of Torture Act 1989; and
- The Protected Disclosures Act 2000.
This is because, for the Ombudsmen to impartially investigate and review complaints against government agencies and Ministers, the Ombudsmen must be independent of them. Apart from serving as independent Officers of Parliament, there are a number of other features of the Ombudsmen role that serve to ensure their independence. For example:
- Ombudsmen are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the House of Representatives. Ombudsmen are appointed for a five year term, but may be reappointed.
- Ombudsmen's salaries are determined by the Remuneration Authority.
- Funding for the operation of the Office of the Ombudsmen is determined by Parliament through the Officers of Parliament Committee (rather than through the Executive Government).
- Ombudsmen report direct to Parliament through the Speaker of the House and the Officers of Parliament Committee.
Complaints to the Ombudsmen can be made by any member of the public, a group of people or a company.
Investigations are free and are conducted in private.
There are presently two Ombudsmen - Beverley Wakem was appointed Ombudsman on 1 March 2005 and Chief Ombudsman on 23 April 2008 and David McGee was appointed an Ombudsman for a term of 5 years commencing on 19 November 2007.
The Ombudsmen are one of three Officers of Parliament in New Zealand. The other two are:
- the Controller and Auditor-General (www.oag.govt.nz); and
- the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (www.pce.govt.nz).