Delay in responding to OIA request

The Chief Ombudsman has published a new case note today on an OIA delay complaint.

Antarctica New Zealand responded to an OIA request well outside the extended deadline, and only after the Chief Ombudsman began an investigation.

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says that ‘consultation is permitted and even good practice under the OIA, but it needs to be done in a way that enables agencies to comply with their statutory timeframe requirements’. 

The Chief Ombudsman concluded that Antarctica New Zealand had failed to comply with those requirements in this case, and that this appeared to be contrary to law. He recommended that Antarctica New Zealand make and communicate its decision on the request as a priority.

Antarctica New Zealand provided the requester with its decision on the request the following day.

Read the full case note.