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Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987

Requests for access to information held by local authorities

14: Extension of time limits

You could also call this:

"Local authorities can take a bit more time to answer your questions if they need to"

Illustration for Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987

When you ask a local authority for information, they usually have to respond within a certain time limit. The local authority can extend this time limit if your request is for a lot of information or if they need to talk to other people to make a decision. They can also extend the time limit if responding on time would interfere with their work.

The local authority will extend the time limit for a reasonable amount of time, depending on the situation. They must tell you about the extension within 20 working days of getting your request. You will get a notice that says how long the extension is and why they need more time.

The notice will also tell you that you can complain to an Ombudsman if you are not happy with the extension. The local authority must give you this information so you know what is happening with your request. They might also include other information that you need to know.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM123001.

Topics:
Government and voting > Local councilsRights and equality > Privacy
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13: Decisions on requests, or

"What happens when you ask a local council for information: they decide what to do with your request"

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15: Documents, or

"How local authorities give you information and documents when you ask for them"

Part 2Requests for access to information held by local authorities

14Extension of time limits

  1. Where a request in accordance with section 10 is made or transferred to a local authority, the chief executive of that local authority, or an officer or employee authorised by that chief executive, may extend the time limit set out in section 12 or section 13(1) in respect of the request if—

  2. the request is for a large quantity of official information or necessitates a search through a large quantity of information and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the local authority; or
    1. consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.

      1. Any extension under subsection (1) shall be for a reasonable period of time having regard to the circumstances.

      2. The extension shall be effected by giving or posting notice of the extension to the person who made the request within 20 working days after the day on which the request is received.

      3. The notice effecting the extension shall—

      4. specify the period of the extension; and
        1. give the reasons for the extension; and
          1. state that the person who made the request for the official information has the right, under section 27(3), to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about the extension; and
            1. contain such other information as is necessary.

              Compare
              Notes
              • Section 14(1): amended, on , by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).