ECC-Rubiix Lunch n Learn Webinar: Ombudsman Session

Date :

19/08/2022

Time :

13:00:00 to 13:30:00

Location :

Online, New Zealand

How ECE services can seek help from the Ombudsman if government agencies act unreasonably, and why you must make a complaint

Simon Laube, ECC CEO, will take members through how the Ombudsman can provide help to centres with issues like:

Complaints, investigations and resolutions in relation to government agencies. This will be the focus area of the presentation.

Under this function, the Ombudsman is an independent authority constituted outside of the Executive which means it’s not accountable to a Government Minister. They have legal powers that can be used to review, for example, a Ministry of Education decision or omission (by an official) that you think lacks a reasonable basis. You are entitled to fair treatment from government (but to access this you need to make a complaint)
As above we will then consider other agencies that are also in-scope – like the Education Review Office, Ministry of Health, and Local Government (e.g. building/resource consents)

And other functions it pays to also know about

Official information requests (the OIA) – if you are not happy with a response you can complain to the Ombudsman and they may investigate. To be covered briefly.
Whistle-blowing/protected disclosures about serious wrongdoing – this applies to government but also private workplaces [note from Simon: new legislation came into effect on 1 July 2022, replacing an older Act from 2000]. A protected disclosure gives the whistle-blower immunity from civil and criminal disciplinary proceedings and has a high degree of confidentiality to protect them from being identified. To be covered briefly.
Making sure that disabled people are treated fairly (in accordance with the UN convention that NZ ratified in 2008). To be covered briefly.

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