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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. 

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54 Resources Show all

  • Getting support and making a complaint in the Oranga Tamariki system

    Pamphlets and posters
    A guide to advocacy, monitoring and complaints for tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people) and their whānau (family).

  • Chief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2022/2023

    Annual reports
    This year I have intensified my efforts to reach out to diverse communities around New Zealand. I have also continued my work to help lift good practices across government. This balance between the public and government is an important part of my independent role as an Officer of Parliament, and the need for me to reach out to both has become even more evident in current times.

  • Chief Ombudsman's Strategic Intentions - 2023 to 2028

    Strategic intentions
    I will maintain and strive to continually improve my existing practices in the areas of complaints-handling, proactive interventions, examination of places of detention, disability rights, and provision of agency learning and advice.

  • Chief Ombudsman's Strategic Intentions - 2022 to 2027

    Strategic intentions
    As Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ombudsman, I give effect to a number of key democratic and human rights measures aimed at safeguarding the rights of people and promoting government accountability and transparency.

  • Chief Ombudsman's Annual Report 2021/2022

    Annual reports
    Watch the introduction in New Zealand Sign Language

  • Inaugural Pūhara Mana Tangata report for 2020/2021

    Annual reports
    The Chief Ombudsman’s Māori panel – Pūhara Mana Tangata – has published a report of its first two years in operation.

  • Annual Report 2020/2021

    Annual reports
    The global COVID-19 pandemic has continued to dominate our lives in the past year, creating new challenges for us all.

  • Strategic intentions 2021-26

    Strategic intentions
    As Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ombudsman, I give effect to a number of key democratic and human rights measures aimed at safeguarding the rights of individuals and promoting government accountability and transparency.

  • Research: Access to government information (2021)

    Corporate information
    In September 2021, the Ombudsman New Zealand commissioned a research agency, UMR, to undertake a nationwide online survey of 1,005 New Zealanders aged 18 years and over, to gauge awareness of the Official Information Act (OIA) and Local Government Offic

  • International Development and Engagement Strategy (July 2020 – December 2023)

    Strategic intentions
    The International Development and Engagement Strategy has been developed to guide the international work of the Ombudsman from July 2020 to December 2023.

  • Annual Report 2019/20

    Annual reports
    COVID-19. The pandemic which swept the world in 2020 is undoubtedly the defining event of the past year. It has further defined the role of Ombudsman.

  • Expectations for OPCAT COVID-19 inspections - pamphlet

    Pamphlets and posters
    This 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 posters
    This 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.

  • Pūhara Mana Tangata Terms of Reference

    Advisory groups
    These documents outline the terms of reference for Pūhara Mana Tangata, the Chief Ombudsman's Māori panel.

  • Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation between Ombudsman Thailand and the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand

    Protocols with agencies
    On 11 February 2020 the Office of the Ombudsman Thailand and the Chief Ombudsman signed a Memorandum of Understanding, in the interest of fostering international cooperation in the field of complaint-handling, good governance, protection of human rights

  • Annual Report 2018/2019

    Annual reports
    It was a busy year. A very busy year. Using almost all measures, the level of our work increased, yet our results were, overall, very pleasing.

  • Strategic Intentions 2019/2023

    Corporate information, Strategic intentions
    Our Strategic Intentions document sets out the nature and scope of our functions, the strategic direction of our organisation, what we are hoping to achieve, and some key measures.

  • Fair treatment for people with disabilities

    Pamphlets and posters
    This 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 posters
    A 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 posters
    A 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 posters
    A 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 posters
    A 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.

  • Annual Report 2017/2018

    Annual reports
    In the past year, we have made some excellent progress in key areas, none more so than by clearing our backlog of complaints, a bugbear both for us and the public. We have been quicker and more efficient in resolving complaints, but with no reduction in the quality or efficacy of our work. Specific cases we have dealt with this year are contained in this report, and they showcase the breadth and depth of the work we are tasked to undertake.

  • Strategic Intentions 2018/2022

    Strategic intentions
    Our Strategic Intentions document sets out the nature and scope of our functions, the strategic direction of our organisation, what we are hoping to achieve, and some key measures.

  • Annual Report 2016/2017

    Annual reports
    In 2016/17 we achieved 700 remedies for New Zealanders—‘remedy’ being the legal term for a solution to a problem. This is an increase of 20 percent on the previous year, one of many positive figures in this year’s Annual Report. We also had 149 recommendations for improvement in places of detention accepted.

  • Updated agreement with the Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections

    Protocols with agencies
    This updated agreement signed in August 2017 underpins the work of our agencies to ensure the humane treatment of people in legal custody.  

  • Strategic Intentions 2017/2021

    Strategic intentions
    Our Strategic Intentions document sets out the nature and scope of our functions, the strategic direction of our organisation, what we are hoping to achieve, and some key measures.

  • OIA strategy 2016/2020

    Strategic intentions
    This document lays out our strategy for working with the Official Information Act. 

  • Annual Report 2015/2016 - full report

    Annual reports
    We have already begun to make great strides in the 2015/16 reporting year. Despite overall intake once again increasing, we completed 7% more work than last year and finished the year with 11% less work on hand than at the same time last year. Our overall net clearance rate for complaints was 105%, meaning that we closed 178 more complaints than we received, and so started to make significant inroads into our backlog of aged complaints.

  • Annual Report 2015/2016 - at a glance

    Annual reports
    This document shows our Annual Report for 2015/2016 at a glance.

  • Strategic Intentions 2016/2020

    Strategic intentions
    Our Strategic Intentions document sets out the nature and scope of our functions, the strategic direction of our organisation, what we are hoping to achieve, and some key measures.

  • Annual Report 2014/2015 - at a glance

    Annual reports
    This document shows our Annual Report for 2014/2015 at a glance.