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.
53 Resources Show all
Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2024
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review for Summer 2024 is out now. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue the Chief Ombudsman calls for council workshops to be open by default; the Ombudsman’s new accessibility strategy; an overview of the Ombudsman’s engagements both locally and abroad; and a round up of the most popular guides on our website.Chief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2022/2023
Annual reportsThis year I have intensified my efforts to reach out to diverse communities around New Zealand. I have also continued my work to help lift good practices across government. This balance between the public and government is an important part of my independent role as an Officer of Parliament, and the need for me to reach out to both has become even more evident in current times.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Winter 2023 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Autumn 2023 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: a first for a NZ Ombudsman at Waitangi, an illuminating piece from the architect of the Official Information Act, international news from integrity organisations in the Pacific and Australasia, new case notes and more.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Spring 2022 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. It includes Govt agencies receive OIA report card, Oranga Tamariki’s “litany of failures” in Malachi Subecz case, Ombudsman’s disability rights role featured at the UN, 60 years of the Ombudsman in NZ, and more.Chief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2021/2022
Annual reportsWatch the introduction in New Zealand Sign LanguageOmbudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Winter 2022 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. It includes an opinion piece from Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier on the OIA and LGOIMA, Mr Boshier’s submission to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission, a systemic investigation into the use of workshops by local councils is announced, and a stronger approach to delay deemed refusal complaints.Inaugural Pūhara Mana Tangata report for 2020/2021
Annual reportsThe Chief Ombudsman’s Māori panel – Pūhara Mana Tangata – has published a report of its first two years in operation.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)This edition includes Ombudsman’s opinion on the Erebus Memorial consultation process, third report highlights overrepresentation of Māori in mental health seclusion, Chief Ombudsman elected as Second Vice President of IOI, council not entitled to withhold internal workshop presentation.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2022
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue 2022 marks 60 years since the first New Zealand Ombudsman was sworn in, Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier gravely concerned by volatile environment at intellectual disability facility, Peter Boshier reaffirms the Ombudsman’s commitment to Te Tiriti during Waitangi, Guide on regulatory policy design during COVID-19, New case notes and more.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for Spring 2021 is out. In this issue:Annual Report 2020/2021
Annual reportsThe global COVID-19 pandemic has continued to dominate our lives in the past year, creating new challenges for us all.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review (OQR) for Winter 2021 is out. In this edition:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for Autumn 2021 is out. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for summer 2021 is out. In this issue:Annual Report 2019/20
Annual reportsCOVID-19. The pandemic which swept the world in 2020 is undoubtedly the defining event of the past year. It has further defined the role of Ombudsman.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for spring 2020 is out. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for winter 2020 is out. In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: how our Office responded to lockdown COVID-19 inspections of prisons and care homes complaints resolution—avoiding a backlog Chief Ombudsman’s term renewed.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue: official information practice investigations highlights from our Annual Report 2018/19 whistleblowing freedom of information.Annual Report 2018/2019
Annual reportsIt was a busy year. A very busy year. Using almost all measures, the level of our work increased, yet our results were, overall, very pleasing.Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Winter 2019
Outreach, Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Autumn 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Autumn 2019 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Summer 2019 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now. Read about: what guidance materials people told us they use from our website; some of the questions we were asked at this year’s select committee hearing; which former staff member was awarded a knighthood.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2018
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Spring 2018 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now.Annual Report 2017/2018
Annual reportsIn the past year, we have made some excellent progress in key areas, none more so than by clearing our backlog of complaints, a bugbear both for us and the public. We have been quicker and more efficient in resolving complaints, but with no reduction in the quality or efficacy of our work. Specific cases we have dealt with this year are contained in this report, and they showcase the breadth and depth of the work we are tasked to undertake.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2018
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The winter 2018 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2018
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review for autumn 2018 is available now.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2018
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review for Summer 2018 is available now.