New case note: GCSB / SIS decision to extend time limit for consultation on OIA request unreasonable

The Chief Ombudsman has found that a decision by the Government Communications Security Bureau and the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service to extended the statutory time limit to make a decision on an OIA request was unreasonable.

The agencies provided a joint response to a requester extending the timeframe to make a decision on the OIA request by six working days to carry out consultation.

The Chief Ombudsman considered that the routine review process by the agencies did not constitute consultation under the OIA and the decision was unreasonable.

See case note:

• Unreasonable extension of time limit for internal consultations