BusinessDesk’s 2024 OIA naughty list

BusinessDesk journalists filed several complaints with the Ombudsman this year for delays in getting responses under the Official Information Act. (Image: File)

Cécile Meier

Mon, 13 Jan 2025

It’s always difficult to obtain information from the private sector. Businesses can simply refuse to answer questions and don’t have to share their books publicly unless they are listed on the New Zealand Exchange (NZX) or are foreign-owned and of a certain size. In theory, it’s a different story with the Government: ministries, agencies and Crown entities have to answer questions, unless they have a very good reason not to. There is even legislation to make sure this happens. The Official Information Act (OI...

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