Anybody can make a request for official information – verbally or in writing.
It’s best to make your request in writing. If we’re unsure about your request we’ll be in touch.
Download: Making official information requests(external link) (pdf 964Kb) from the Office of the Ombudsman website.
If you are making your request in writing, please address it to:
EA to the Chief Executive and Mayor, Buller District Council, P O Box 21, Westport 7866The Council must respond to requests as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 20 working days.
In most instances, staff will try to get the information out to you as soon as possible.
Urgent requests can be made, but the reasons for making an urgent request must be specified.
The first hour and first 20 pages of information is free.
We may charge for official information in accordance with the Fees and Charges schedule in Council’s Annual Plan. Under clause 13(4) of LGOIMA Council can request the amounts due are paid in advance of the release of information requested.
View fees and charges
(Page 13)
Land Information Memorandums (LIMs) are covered by section 44A of LGOIMA and are subject to a separate timeframe and charging regime.
The Council operates under the principle of availability – the grounds for withholding information are listed in LGOIMA.
We may withhold information for specific reasons. If so, we will explain the reason why.
There are several major reasons for withholding requests for information made under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
Making the information available would be likely to:
The Council is required to assess whether each of the following withholding reasons is outweighed by other considerations which render it desirable in the public interest to make the information available.
Withholding the information is necessary to:
Note: If a non natural person (such as a company or organisation) makes a request for its personal information, it has a right to access that information (under section 23) unless one of the grounds for refusal in section 26 apply.