The Ombudsman function has also been extended to the banking and insurance industries. Under the terms of the Protected Disclosures Act 2000 (the ‘whistle-blower’ legislation), the Ombudsmen became responsible for providing advice and guidance to any employee who has made, or is considering making, a disclosure about serious wrongdoing in their workplace. The Ombudsmen can also investigate complaints from people who have had requests for official information from a government organisation denied. Over time the Ombudsmen’s jurisdiction has been extended to include education and hospital boards, and local government agencies. The incumbent can be of any gender and is appointed as an independent Officer of Parliament.

New Zealand followed Sweden, Finland and Denmark in establishing the office of Ombudsman. The office was created to investigate complaints about the actions of government departments and other national public sector organisations. In a loose translation from Swedish, the word means ‘grievance person’.

Sir Guy Powles was New Zealand’s first Ombudsman.

Govt watchdog