Media Release: Tuesday 9 October 2018
Council’s Acting Chief Executive welcomes Ombudsman Office practice investigation
Horowhenua District Council Acting Chief Executive Mark Lester has welcomed today’s announcement that Council will be
part of a self-initiated Ombudsman’s Office practice investigation of Local Government Official Information and Meetings
Act (LGOIMA) policies and practices among councils.
“I concur with the Ombudsman's Office in seeing this as important work to ensure we provide the public with continuing
trust and confidence in the ability of public sector agencies to operate effectively, as official information
legislation is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s democracy,” Mr Lester said.
Mr Lester said the practice investigation was similar to an audit and would identify areas of good practice, and make
suggestions for improvements if any were needed.
“We look forward to the opportunity to improve capability in official information administration and decision making,”
he said. “This work will inform not only Horowhenua District Council but the wider local government sector of how best
to manage our responsibilities under LGOIMA.”
The practice investigation covers two different types of councils and a central government agency. Christchurch City
Council was chosen to represent a large urban council, Horowhenua District Council to represent a small district
council, and Treasury to represent a central government agency.
Mr Lester said the Ombudsman’s Office made it clear that the practice investigation is part of an established work
programme on public sector compliance with LGOIMA and is unrelated to any previous issues.
ENDS