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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Official Information Act 1982

Publication of, and access to, certain documents and information

21: Right of access to certain official information

You could also call this:

"You can ask to see certain official information and get access to it"

You have the right to see certain official information. When you ask, you will be given access to the latest publication made under section 20 and any updates to it. You will get to see this information when you request it.

If you are a New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident, or just visiting, you have the right to see certain types of official information. This also applies if you are a company based in New Zealand or a company from elsewhere with a New Zealand office. You can ask to see this information and you will be given access to it. The rules about how you get to see this information are set out in regulations made under this Act.

When you are given access to this information, it must follow the rules set out in the regulations. These regulations are made under this Act and they guide how the information is shared with you. You will get to see the information you ask for, as long as it follows these rules.

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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=DLM65620.

Topics:
Rights and equality > PrivacyGovernment and voting > Government departments
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20: Publication setting out functions of public service agencies and organisations, or

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22: Right of access to internal rules affecting decisions, or

"You have the right to see rules that affect decisions made about you by the government or organisations."

Part 3Publication of, and access to, certain documents and information

21Right of access to certain official information

  1. Every person has a right to and shall, on request made under this subsection, be given access to the latest edition of the publication published under section 20 and to any published supplementary material bringing that edition up-to-date.

  2. Every person, being—

  3. a New Zealand citizen; or
    1. a permanent resident of New Zealand; or
      1. a person who is in New Zealand; or
        1. a body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or
          1. a body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand but which has a place of business in New Zealand,—
              1. has a right to and shall, on request made under this subsection, be given access to any category of official information that is declared by regulations made under this Act to be a category of official information in respect of which a right of access exists.

            1. The giving of access to any official information to which subsection (2) applies shall be subject to the provisions of any regulations made under this Act.

            Notes
            • Section 21(2): replaced, on , by section 12 of the Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8).