Resources and publications
Ngā rauemi me ngā tānga
Search guides, case notes, opinions, reports and other information. Resources and publications can also be searched by date and other options.
Use the search bar to make your search. Then use the filters to narrow down the results by resource type or topic.
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.
96 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:Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 guide for Ministers
Protected Disclosures ActThis guide provides information and guidance for Ministers who may receive protected disclosures.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.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Winter 2023 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now. In this issue: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 informatChief 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.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Autumn 2023
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Autumn 2023 Ombudsman Quarterly Review is out now.FAQs about official information requests during or following extreme emergency event
Official informationThis guide answers questions about dealing with official information requests during or following extreme emergency events. It: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.Removing barriers: Reasonable accommodation of disabled people in Aotearoa
Disability rightsThis guide explains what 'reasonable accommodation' is and how to do it. Available in EasyRead, Te Reo Maori and New Zealand sign language.FAQs: official information requests during a general election period
Official informationThis guide answers questions from agencies and requesters about dealing with official information requests during the general election period. It:Resources
GuidesThis page provides resources for fellow Ombudsmen and integrity institutions that may be of use in developing their own practices.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.Ombudsman 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.He rauemi tātaki ea – A resource for offering an effective apology
GuidesPeople have the right to expect a high standard of administration by central and local government agencies. They expect agencies to act legally, fairly, and in a timely manner, and to be treated with respect in a way that is culturally appropriate.Guidance on when to engage the Ombudsman in law reform proposals
GuidesThis guidance sets out why and when an Ombudsman should be engaged in law reform process and the Ombudsman's view on some key questions that are likely to arise.Disability Rights: How is New Zealand doing?
Disability rightsThis summary report updates the Committee, and the New Zealand Parliament and public, with recent information on the priority areas that prevent disabled people in New Zealand from realising their full suite of human rights as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.Checklist – Am I ready to make a protected disclosure?
Protected Disclosures ActThis checklist will assist if you are considering making a protected disclosure about serious wrongdoing in your workplace, or wondering whether you need more information and guidance.Checklist: Protecting whistleblower confidentiality
Protected Disclosures ActThis checklist will assist if you or your organisation has received a protected disclosure about serious wrongdoing in your workplace.Protected disclosures – guidance on internal policies and procedures
Guides, Protected Disclosures ActIf your organisation is looking to encourage an open reporting culture, or is currently grappling with how to handle a protected disclosure by one of your employees about serious wrongdoing in your workplace, the Ombudsman can provide guidance.Ombudsman’s approach to delay complaints
GuidesThe Chief Ombudsman has decided to make changes to his handling of delay complaints alleging breaches by public sector agencies of the maximum statutory timeframe obligations set out in the Official Information Act and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. He considers these laws to be cornerstones of New Zealand’s democracy.Making a protected disclosure - a guide to "blowing the whistle"
Protected Disclosures ActIf you’re concerned about serious wrongdoing in or by your organisation, the Ombudsman is able to provide information and guidance.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.FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19
Official informationThis guide answers questions from agencies and requesters about dealing with official information requests during the COVID-19 emergency.Regulatory policy design during COVID-19 pandemic
Good administrationThis guidance is intended to assist government agencies in designing and implementing robust, fair, and fit-for-purpose, regulatory policies[1] that enable the fair administration of government policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for Spring 2021 is out. In this issue:Requesting official information - a brief guide for media
Official informationYou can request official information held by central or local government organisations1, under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) respectively.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2021
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Ombudsman Quarterly Review (OQR) for Winter 2021 is out. In this edition:Chief Ombudsman reaffirms his OPCAT Statement of Principles for places of detention during COVID-19 ‘lock down’
GuidesAs Aotearoa New Zealand is experiencing another nationwide Alert Level 4 lockdown, the Chief Ombudsman reaffirms his statement of principles, issued last year.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: