Official Information Act requests

Overview

We are committed to being open and transparent. We proactively publish information, engage with the public, and make our decisions clear and accountable under the Official Information Act 1982.

This page provides guidance on how to engage with us when making an OIA request, including how we share information and support public access.

What is official information?

Official information is any information held by a public service agency or organisation subject to the OIA, or a Minister of the Crown in their official capacity.

The full definition of ‘official information’ is in section 2 of the OIA and includes:

• documents, reports, memoranda, letters, texts, emails and draft documents
• non-written information, such as digital, video or tape recordings
• manuals which set out internal rules, principles, policies or guidelines for decision making, and reasons for decisions that have been made about an individual
• information which is known, but not written down.

Find out more: Section 2 Official Information Act (1982)open_in_new

How to make an OIA request  

The primary contact for OIA requests is hello@regulation.govt.nz.

To request official information from the Ministry: 

• email us at hello@regulation.govt.nz, or 
• write to us at:
  OIA requests
  Ministry for Regulation
  PO Box 577
  Wellington 6140

As part of your request, include: 

• your name 
• your preferred contact details 
• the full details of the information you would like to see. 

How we respond to OIA requests 

We respond to OIA requests as soon as reasonably practicable, and no later than 20 working days in accordance with the OIA. If we are unable to respond within this timeframe, we will notify you of an extension in line with the requirements of the Act.

We may contact you to clarify your request or transfer it to another agency if they are better placed to respond.

To update or withdraw your OIA request, email: hello@regulation.govt.nz.

If the information you have requested is of wider public interest, we may publish our response on this website (with any personal details removed).

Right of review

If you are not satisfied with our response to your OIA request, we will work with you to address any concerns. 

Email: hello@regulation.govt.nz

You can also make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman if you:

• have concerns regarding the decision we made on your OIA request
• are unhappy about the way your request was treated or processed.

Concerns can relate to:

• withholding of information
• extending the timeframe to respond to you
• any charges for providing the information you've requested
• delays in providing you with a decision or the information your request being transferred.

The Office of the Ombudsman can investigate and review our decision. They may make recommendations to the Ministry on the basis of their findings.

For more information go to the Office of the Ombudsman's websiteopen_in_new. 

Or freephone 0800 802 602.