The Chief Ombudsman investigated two complaints in late 2020 about the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s decisions to decline the complainants’ requests for medical needs exemptions from Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) requirements.
New Zealand’s MIQ requirements are very strict. The relevant Orders state that almost everyone flying into New Zealand has to spend at least 14 days in an MIQ facility. The law does, however, allow for exemptions on the basis of medical needs and exceptional circumstances.
Under the Ombudsmen Act 1975, the Chief Ombudsman can investigate MBIE’s administrative actions and decisions. His investigation in these cases focused on MBIE’s decision-making process.
In both cases, MBIE followed the process required when considering the two applications. The Chief Ombudsman formed the final opinion that MBIE’s decisions were not unreasonable.
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