Ombudsman NZ

Ombudsman NZ The Ombudsman helps New Zealanders deal with public sector agencies with a focus on fairness for all. Complaints are not processed through this channel.

The Ombudsman carries out a range of roles to help protect your rights: monitoring places of detention, providing guidance about serious wrongdoing at work (whistleblowing) and implementing the United Nations Disabilities Convention. They provide advice, guidance and training to public sector agencies and promote awareness of their role to the wider community. For information and help visit: https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

Are you curious about our services and how we can assist you in your interactions with government agencies, local counci...
12/06/2026

Are you curious about our services and how we can assist you in your interactions with government agencies, local councils, or school boards?

Join our community meetings in the Canterbury region from June 15-18. Come along, meet the team, and find out more about how the Office of the Ombudsman can assist you.

Please confirm your attendance to one of our sessions using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SessionConfirm

We look forward to meeting those that can join us.

Christchurch Methodist Mission The Loft Christchurch Community House Christchurch City Libraries Pinoy CARES Canterbury

Congratulations to our former Chief Ombudsman Sir Peter Boshier who received an Honorary life Membership to the Internat...
10/06/2026

Congratulations to our former Chief Ombudsman Sir Peter Boshier who received an Honorary life Membership to the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) in recognition of his service. Sir Peter contributed immensely to the Office’s International Development work representing New Zealand globally. During his tenure as Chief Ombudsman, Sir Peter was Vice President of the IOI, Regional President of Australasia and the Pacific, Chair of the IOI By-laws Review Committee, and active member of the UN Working Group.

The IOI was established in 1978, and is the only global organisation for the cooperation of more than 200 independent Ombudsman institutions from more than 100 countries worldwide. The IOI is organised in six regional chapters (Africa, Asia, Australasia & Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean & Latin America, and North America). In its effort to focus on good governance and capacity building, the IOI supports members via training, research, and regional subsidies for projects.

Read more here➡:https://www.theioi.org/ioi-news/current-news/honorary-life-membership-awarded-to-sir-peter-boshier-knzm

Congratulations to former Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier for being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Me...
01/06/2026

Congratulations to former Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier for being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. 👑

He is recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for his services to the state and judiciary. Peter was our Chief Ombudsman from December 2015 to March last year.

In the King’s citation, as Chief Ombudsman, he was described as having a focus on “a faster and more effective resolution of Official Information Act and other complaints, working with government agencies to improve their practices and strengthening his team’s investigation and monitoring of prisons, secure age care and public mental health facilities, and a much greater prevalence of agencies”

Take a look at the full list here: https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/kings-birthday-honours-list-2026

Talofa lava 👋 We’re joining Pacific communities across New Zealand in celebrating take a look at some information belo...
01/06/2026

Talofa lava 👋 We’re joining Pacific communities across New Zealand in celebrating take a look at some information below in both English and Samoan:

English:
If you feel a government agency hasn’t treated you fairly, the Ombudsman may be able to help. Our service is free, independent and confidential. Find out more: www.ombudsman.parliament.nz

Samoan:
A e manatu ua lē tonu ma sa’o se fa’aiuga a se Matagaluega a le Malo ua a’afia ai oe? E ono mafai ona fesoasoani le Komesina o Sulufaiga ia te oe. E leai se totogi o le auaunaga, e tūto’atasi ma malu puipuia le fa’atinoga. Mo nisi fa’amatalaga www.ombudsman.parliament.nz

Ministry for Pacific Peoples Samoa Office of the Ombudsman PMN Samoa Sāmoa Capital Radio Vaka Tautua Taeaomanino Trust K'aute Pasifika Trust

The General Manager for our Outreach and Engagement group Alex Schröder joined ‘ACE’ Adult Community Educators in Auckla...
27/05/2026

The General Manager for our Outreach and Engagement group Alex Schröder joined ‘ACE’ Adult Community Educators in Auckland this week to talk about Civics and Citizenship at their Aotearoa Conference.

We share a common goal with the ACE sector: to help people build confidence, engage with information, ask questions, navigate public systems and empower citizens! Thank you to ACE for having us this week 🙌🏾

ACE Aotearoa

In line with Youth Week from May 18- 24 we’re sharing research we commissioned from 2020-2025 informing how we work with...
22/05/2026

In line with Youth Week from May 18- 24 we’re sharing research we commissioned from 2020-2025 informing how we work with children and young people in care. The theme for Youth Week this year is: ‘Our Voices Matter, We Deserve to Be Heard.’ Click on the link below to hear from our youth and to read the research and insights from Tamariki and care providers.

This work helped us prepare for our expanded role overseeing the Oranga Tamariki system, which came into effect in May 2023 ➡
https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/resources/research-informing-how-we-work-children-and-young-people-care?fbclid=IwY2xjawR8UWhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFmYkxvRXZTSFVCMnR1TGpDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlM8nFvyJGscAsWaT4yxGBVVH3iVF9QjMdLdfKWQ8R-SSo30c8YiCubKCRxf_aem_Evql7qQbvo3nbJ_TbdpvfA

Ara Taiohi - Peak Body for Youth Development

Today is World Day of Cultural Diversity, a United Nations day to celebrate and raise awareness of diversity globally. I...
20/05/2026

Today is World Day of Cultural Diversity, a United Nations day to celebrate and raise awareness of diversity globally. In celebrating this day, we want to acknowledge the diverse cultures within the Office of the Ombudsman and the unique perspectives each person brings. We’re proud to recognise the many cultures and backgrounds of our own staff which includes Māori, Pacific, Asian, NZ European, Middle Eastern, and African people 🌏.

Happy

In line with Youth Week from May 18- 24 we’re sharing research we commissioned from 2020-2025 informing how we work with...
19/05/2026

In line with Youth Week from May 18- 24 we’re sharing research we commissioned from 2020-2025 informing how we work with children and young people in care. The theme for Youth Week this year is: ‘Our Voices Matter, We Deserve to Be Heard.’ Click on the link below to hear from our youth and to read the research and insights from Tamariki and care providers.

This work helped us prepare for our expanded role overseeing the Oranga Tamariki system, which came into effect in May 2023 ➡
https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/resources/research-informing-how-we-work-children-and-young-people-care?fbclid=IwY2xjawR5tsdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFDcmpqRHdQV0VCS3JnellIc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEefZbph6epoVMAfDvfixpMOaH28YZo4Hel8rzz22KhVlV37boF7YYa94Fp4n4_aem_p4IWssdefPbsUeAWehFUyQ

Ara Taiohi - Peak Body for Youth Development

The Chief Ombudsman, says a proposal in the Fisheries Amendment Bill to exempt commercial fishing camera footage from re...
18/05/2026

The Chief Ombudsman, says a proposal in the Fisheries Amendment Bill to exempt commercial fishing camera footage from release under the Official Information Act is unnecessary and excessive. John made an oral submission on the Bill before Parliament’s Primary Production Committee.

John says the array of measures included in the Bill including carving out fishing camera footage from the OIA aren’t justified because the law already offers protections:

“In my view, these measures risk undermining the OIA, and lowering trust and confidence in both the fishing industry and in government.”

Read the full media release here: https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/news/chief-ombudsman-says-fishing-boat-camera-footage-should-not-be-excluded-oia

Watch a recording of the meeting here (appears 3:08:19):
https://vimeo.com/event/4428889

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PO Box 10152
Wellington
6143

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Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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+64800802602

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