Who the Ombudsmen can investigate
What kinds of organisations can the Ombudsmen investigate?
Ombudsmen Act 1975, s 13, Schedule 1
The Ombudsmen can investigate the conduct and decisions of any of the following agencies:
government departments and ministries such as the Ministry of Education and the Inland Revenue Department – and specific units and services within them, like Work and Income (which is part of the Ministry of Social Development)
Crown entities (government-owned organisations) – for example, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Housing New Zealand, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), and the Commerce Commission
boards appointed under specific Acts – for example, the Charities Registration Board, the Arts Board and the New Zealand Geographic Board
state-owned enterprises – for example, New Zealand Post and Transpower New Zealand
committees of local government bodies such as city councils, district councils, regional councils and harbour boards (only the committees, not the local bodies themselves)
public health authorities – for example, district health boards
education authorities – for example, school boards of trustees and universities.
Who can’t the Ombudsmen investigate?
Ombudsmen Act 1975, s 13
The Ombudsmen can’t investigate complaints about:
private individuals, and private organisations like companies and incorporated societies
lawyers
MPs and government Ministers (however, the Ombudsmen can investigate complaints about advice provided to Ministers by government agencies and decisions made by Ministers about requests for official information)
police conduct – these complaints are dealt with by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (see the chapter “Police powers”)
decisions made by a local council (but the Ombudsmen can investigate decisions made by a council’s committees, including a recommendation from a committee to the council that then results in a decision of the council – so this can be an indirect way of challenging a council’s decision.)
decisions made by courts, tribunals and parole boards.