iSAYSO
The Ombudsman is hugely over loaded.
New Zealand deserves a functioning transparency system — and right now, we don’t have one.
BY NIGEL GRAY 15 JUNE 2026 PLEASE SHARE!
Today I received updated figures from the Office of the Ombudsman about their backlog.
Here’s what they told me:
Here’s what they told me:
On paper, that sounds fine.
In reality, many New Zealanders — myself included — are waiting months just to have a complaint allocated, let alone investigated.
In reality, many New Zealanders — myself included — are waiting months just to have a complaint allocated, let alone investigated.
And here’s the part that matters:
These aren’t just delayed Official Information Act requests. These are real cases of injustice that people have escalated to the Ombudsman because they had nowhere else to go — and they are being delayed again.
This is not a political issue.
This is a democratic systems issue.
This is a democratic systems issue.
Many of these complaints are on important issues such as GMO legislation, Digital ID etc.
When the watchdog responsible for government accountability is overloaded and delayed, the entire transparency framework breaks down.
A democracy cannot function properly when its oversight mechanisms are clogged.
A democracy cannot function properly when its oversight mechanisms are clogged.
What I’m asking the public to do
I’ve established the PAN Network to coordinate email campaigns on issues exactly like this.
But PAN is still in early stages, and I’m overloaded with cases — so for this campaign, I’m putting the letter template right here on Facebook.
But PAN is still in early stages, and I’m overloaded with cases — so for this campaign, I’m putting the letter template right here on Facebook.
Please copy the letter below and email it to your MP. Then sign up to PAN so you can join future coordinated campaigns. Here: https://sites.google.com/view/pan-nz/homeThis is a simple action that takes 2 minutes but sends a powerful message:
New Zealanders expect a functioning Ombudsman.
New Zealanders expect a functioning Ombudsman.
TEMPLATE LETTER TO SEND TO YOUR MP
Subject: Restoring the Functionality of the Office of the Ombudsman
Dear Member of Parliament,
I am writing as a concerned citizen regarding the growing delays within the Office of the Ombudsman. Recent figures provided directly by the Ombudsman’s Office show:
These delays are not merely administrative inconveniences.
They represent real cases of injustice that New Zealanders have escalated because they had no other avenue for accountability.
They represent real cases of injustice that New Zealanders have escalated because they had no other avenue for accountability.
When the Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints in a timely manner, the transparency framework established by Parliament is effectively weakened. This is not a partisan issue — it is a matter of democratic integrity and public trust.
I am asking you, as my elected representative, to raise this issue within Parliament and support efforts to ensure the Office of the Ombudsman is properly resourced and able to meet its performance commitments.
New Zealanders deserve a transparency system that works.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Town]
[Your Name]
[Your Town]
