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What is an Ombudsman?

An Ombudsman is an independent person appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of Parliament to investigate complaints from individuals about the administrative acts and decisions of central and local government departments and organisations. Included in this is a university, a polytechnic, a wananga or a college of education.

An Ombudsman has independence

An Ombudsman is an Officer of Parliament and can independently review the administrative conduct of government agencies. Parliament as whole, as distinct from the Government of the day, recommends the appointment of Ombudsmen. Ombudsmen are not government employees. At present, New Zealand has two Parliamentary Ombudsmen. Two staff members from the Office of the Ombudsmen have been assigned specifically to visit tertiary education institutions on a regular basis.

What does an Ombudsman deal with?

An Ombudsman investigates complaints about:

• any administrative decision of
• or recommendation made by
• or act done or omitted by

a government organisation which affects any person or body or persons in their personal capacity. Tertiary institutions which are publicly owned are government organisations for this purpose.

An Ombudsman has an additional role in reviewing refusals to provide official information.

For more information, read the pamphlet “Making Complaints About Tertiary Education” available from the Ombudsmen website.