Plain language law

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Official Information Act 1982

Requests for access to official information

13: Assistance

You could also call this:

"Getting help to ask for official information"

When you want to ask for official information, you might need some help. It is the job of government departments, Ministers, and organisations to give you reasonable assistance. This means they will help you make a request in the right way, as stated in section 12, or direct you to the right people if you have not asked the right department or organisation.

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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=DLM65385.

Topics:
Rights and equality > PrivacyGovernment and voting > Government departments
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12: Requests, or

"Asking the Government for Information"

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14: Transfer of requests, or

"When to send your information request to another department or organisation"

Part 2Requests for access to official information

13Assistance

  1. It is the duty of every department or interdepartmental venture, Minister of the Crown, and organisation to give reasonable assistance to a person, who—

  2. wishes to make a request in accordance with section 12; or
    1. in making a request under section 12, has not made that request in accordance with that section; or
      1. has not made his request to the appropriate department or venture or Minister of the Crown or organisation or local authority,—
          1. to make a request in a manner that is in accordance with that section or to direct his request to the appropriate department or venture or Minister of the Crown or organisation or local authority.

        Notes
        • Section 13: amended, on , by section 135 of the Public Service Act 2020 (2020 No 40).
        • Section 13: amended, on , by section 57(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (1987 No 174).
        • Section 13(c): amended, on , by section 135 of the Public Service Act 2020 (2020 No 40).
        • Section 13(c): amended, on , by section 57(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (1987 No 174).