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.
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.
80 Resources Show all
Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for spring 2020 is out. In this issue:Info sheet for detainees in MIQ facilities
FactsheetsThis information sheet is for people detained in a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility and sets out what is involved in an inspection by the Chief Ombudsman.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Winter 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The OQR for winter 2020 is out. In this issue:OPCAT: Ombudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities
OPCAT, FactsheetsOmbudsman and IPCA are visiting court facilities Update: August 2020Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (June 2020)
Waka TangataOmbudsman 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.Expectations for OPCAT COVID-19 inspections - pamphlet
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet compliments the Expectations for OPCAT COVID-19 inspections to guide agencies responsible for places of detention during the COVID-19 pandemic.OPCAT inspections during COVID-19 pandemic – update and Statement of Principles poster
Pamphlets and postersThis poster compliments the set of principles provided to guide agencies responsible for places of detention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full update and Statement or Principles for more information.Upcoming OPCAT inspection by Chief Ombudsman’s team
FactsheetsInformation for residents of a facility that is being inspected, and their family and whanau.Expectations for OPCAT COVID-19 Inspections
FactsheetsPurpose Inspecting places of detention helps to ensure that people who are deprived of their liberty are treated humanely, and their rights are respected and protected.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Summer 2020
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (December 2019)
Waka TangataOmbudsman 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.Orientation visits: First step in developing aged care inspections programme
FactsheetsOur first step in developing our new inspections programme is to familiarise ourselves with privately-run aged care facilities.Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Winter 2019
Outreach, Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)In this issue:Fact sheet: Aged care monitoring
FactsheetsThis fact sheet sets out why the Ombudsman is monitoring privately-run aged care facilities, and how the monitoring will differ from existing audits and reviews.Your OIA rights and responsibilities
SpeechesOn 13 July, Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier addressed around 800 delegates at the New Zealand School Trustees Association’s annual conference. Here is his speech.Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Autumn 2019
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Autumn 2019 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now.Waka Tangata: APOR E-news (May 2019)
Waka TangataOmbudsman 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.Fact sheet: Accident Compensation Corporation
FactsheetsThis fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Also available in Easy Read format.Fact sheet: Earthquake Commission
FactsheetsThis fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against the Earthquake Commission (EQC). Also available in Easy Read format.Fact sheet: Immigration New Zealand
FactsheetsThis fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against Immigration New Zealand. Also available in Easy Read format.Fact sheet: Inland Revenue Department
FactsheetsThis fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Also available in Easy Read format.Fact sheet: Work and Income
FactsheetsThis fact sheet explains the Ombudsman's role in relation to complaints made against Work and Income. Also available in Easy Read format.Fair treatment for people with disabilities
Pamphlets and postersThis pamphlet provides information about the Ombudsman's role under the Disabilities Convention. Available in Large Print and Easy Read formats, plus versions in Te Reo Maori, Hindi, Korean, Tongan, Samoan, and Mandarin.Making complaints about government agencies
Pamphlets and postersA pamphlet explaining what the Ombudsman can do for you, the complaints process, and what happens when you make your complaint. Available in Easy Read and Large Print formats, plus versions in te reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Mandarin and Hindi. Or, view a short YouTube video in New Zealand Sign language called "Making complaints about government agencies".Making complaints about prisons and Community Corrections
Pamphlets and postersA pamphlet on making a complaint about prisons and Community Corrections. It covers: What can the Ombudsman do for you?; What happens when you make a complaint?; and the complaints process. Available in Easy Read and Large Print formats, plus versions in Te Reo Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Mandarin and Hindi.Monitoring places of detention
Pamphlets and postersA pamphlet explaining the Ombudsman's role as a National Preventive Mechanism, what the Ombudsman looks at when monitoring places of detention, and other National Preventive Mechanisms. Available in Large Print and Easy Read formats, plus versions in Te Reo Maori, Hindi, Korean, Tongan, Samoan, and Mandarin. Or, watch a short YouTube video in New Zealand Sign language called "Monitoring places of detention".The Ombudsman: who we are
Pamphlets and postersA pamphlet explaining what the Ombudsman does. Available in Easy Read and Large Print formats, plus versions in te reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Mandarin and Hindi. Or, watch this five-minute YouTube video (in New Zealand Sign Language) on what the Ombudsman does.Ombudsman Quarterly Review Spring 2018
Ombudsman Quarterly Reviews (OQR)The Spring 2018 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review is here now.APOR conference 2018: Opening address
SpeechesPresident of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and Ombudsman for the Republic of Ireland, Peter Tyndall, opened the 30th Australasian and Pacific Ombudsman Region (APOR) conference on 28 November 2018 by calling on integrity institu