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Official Information Act 1982

Requests for access to official information

15A: Extension of time limits

You could also call this:

"More time to answer your questions about official information"

When you ask for official information, there is a time limit for the department or organisation to respond. They can extend this time limit if your request is for a lot of information or if they need to search through a lot of information to answer you. This would happen if meeting the original time limit would interfere with their work.

The department or organisation can also extend the time limit if they need to consult with others to make a decision about your request. They can extend the time limit for a reasonable period of time, considering the circumstances. You will be told about the extension within 20 working days of your request being received.

The notice about the extension will tell you how long the extension is, why it is happening, and that you have the right to complain to an Ombudsman about the extension. It will also give you other necessary information. The extension is made by giving or posting a notice to you.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM65394.

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Part 2Requests for access to official information

15AExtension of time limits

  1. Where a request in accordance with section 12 is made or transferred to a department or an interdepartmental venture or a Minister of the Crown or an organisation, the chief executive of that department or board of that venture or an officer or employee of that department or venture authorised by that chief executive or board or that Minister of the Crown or that organisation may extend the time limit set out in section 14 or 15(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 department or the venture or the Minister of the Crown or the organisation; 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 28(3), to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about the extension; and
            1. contain such other information as is necessary.

              Notes
              • Section 15A: inserted, on , by section 9(1) of the Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8).
              • Section 15A(1): replaced, on , by section 135 of the Public Service Act 2020 (2020 No 40).