Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698753106811.pdf (New Zealand)
Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Public Act 1987 No 174 Date of assent 17 July 1987 Commencement see section 1(2) Contents Title Short Title and commencement Interpretation Temporary definition of publicly notified as result of outbreak of COVID-19 [Repealed] Act to bind the Crown Purposes Part 1 Access to local authority information Principle of availability Conclusive reasons for withholding official information Other reasons for withholding official information Information concerning existence of certain information Exclusion of public interest immunity Page 4 4 5 8 8 8 9 9 10 11 11 1 2 2A Note The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.
Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs.
1 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Part 2 Requests for access to information held by local authorities Requests Assistance Transfer of requests Decisions on requests Extension of time limits Documents Deletion of information from documents Refusal of requests Requests involving substantial collation or research Duty to consider consulting person if request likely to be refused under section 17(e) or (f) Reason for refusal to be given Part 3 Publication of, and access to, certain documents and information Publication setting out functions of local authorities [Repealed] Right of access to publication published under section 19 [Repealed] Right of access to internal rules affecting decisions Right of access by person to reasons for decisions affecting that person Part 4 Right of access to personal information Right of access to personal information Precautions Correction of information Reasons for refusal of requests for personal information Part 5 Review of decisions Decisions under Part 2 and section 8 Functions of Ombudsmen Application of Ombudsmen Act 1975 Requirements of Ombudsman to be complied with within certain period Consultation with Privacy Commissioner Procedure after investigation Disclosure of certain information not to be recommended Recommendations made to local authorities Requirements in relation to decision Right of review 17A 17B 26 27 28 29 29A 30 31 32 33 34 2 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Appeals Complainant to be informed of result of investigation Restriction on application for review Decisions under Part 3 or Part 4 Application of Ombudsmen Act 1975 Ombudsman may require publication of summary of report Saving in respect of Ombudsmen Act 1975 Saving Part 6 Miscellaneous provisions relating to access to official
 information Protection against certain actions Delegation of powers by local authority Delegation of powers by officers Savings 44A Land information memorandum Land information memoranda Part 7 Local authority meetings 45 45A 46 46A 46B 47 47A Interpretation Application of this Part to certain local authorities Meetings of local authorities to be publicly notified Availability of agendas and reports Modifications to section 46A while epidemic notice in force for COVID-19 [Repealed] Admission of public to meetings of local authorities Modifications to section 47 while epidemic notice in force for COVID-19 [Repealed] Right of local authorities to exclude public Provisions applying when meeting open to public Maintenance of order Right of public to inspect or receive copies of minutes of meeting 48 49 50 51 51AA Modifications to section 51 while epidemic notice in force for 51A 52 53 54 COVID-19 [Repealed] Public notification of resolution at extraordinary meeting Defamatory matter in copy of agenda or additional particulars supplied to public or in minutes of meeting Oral statements at local authority meetings privileged This Part to prevail over other enactments 29 29 30 30 31 32 32 32 33 34 34 37 38 38 40 41 41 41 41 43 44 44 45 45 45 45 46 3 s 1 55 56 57 58 59 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Part 8 Miscellaneous provisions Regulations Power to amend Schedules 1 and 2 by Order in Council Consequential amendments to other enactments Repeals and revocations Transitional provisions for amendments made on or after commencement of Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2013 Schedule 1 Local authorities to which Parts 1 to 7 apply Schedule 2 Local authorities (additional to those named in Schedule 1) to which Part 7 applies Schedule 2A Resolution to exclude the public Schedule 3 Enactments amended Schedule 4 Enactments repealed Schedule 5 Orders revoked Schedule 6 Transitional provisions for
 amendments made on or after commencement of Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2013 46 46 47 47 47 48 50 52 54 55 58 59 An Act to make official information held by local authorities more freely avail‐ able, to provide for proper access by each person to official information relating to that person which is held by local authorities, to provide for the admission of the public to meetings of local authorities, to protect official information held by local authorities and the deliberations of local authorities to the extent consistent with the public interest and the preservation of personal privacy, and to establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes 1 (1) Short Title and commencement This Act may be cited as the Local Government Official Information and Meet‐ ings Act 1987.
(2) This Act shall come into force on 1 March 1988.
4 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 s 2 2 (1) Interpretation In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— department means a government department named in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 (other than the Parliamentary Counsel Office) document means a document in any form, and includes— (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) any writing on any material: any information recorded or stored by means of any tape recorder, com‐ puter, or other device; and any material subsequently derived from infor‐ mation so recorded or stored: any label, marking, or other writing that identifies or describes any thing of which it forms part, or to which it is attached by any means: any book, map, plan, graph, or drawing: any photograph, film, negative, tape, or other device in which 1 or more visual images are embodied so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced enactment— (a) means any provision of— (i) (ii) any Act of Parliament; or any secondary legislation, within the meaning of the Legislation Act 2019, that is made by Order in Council; and (b) in relation to section 54, includes any bylaw, standing order, or rule of procedure of any local authority Internet site, in relation to a particular local authority, means an Internet site that is maintained by, or on behalf of, the local authority and to which the pub‐ lic has free access local authority— (a) (b) for the purposes of Parts 1 to 6, means those local authorities and public bodies named or specified in Schedule 1; and for the purposes of Parts 7 and 8, means those local authorities and pub‐ lic bodies named or specified in Schedule 1 or Schedule 2,— and, in both cases, includes— (c) any committee or subcommittee or standing committee or special com‐ mittee or joint standing committee or joint special committee which the local authority is empowered to appoint under its standing orders or rules of procedure or under any enactment or Order in Council constitut‐ ing the
 local authority or regulating its proceedings; and (d) a committee of the whole local authority 5 s 2 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 member, in relation to a local authority, means any person elected or appointed to that local authority or to any committee or subcommittee of that local authority, and includes the presiding member of that local authority or of any committee or subcommittee of that local authority official information— (a) means any information held by a local authority; but (b) does not include— (i) (ii) (iii) information contained in library or museum material made or acquired and preserved solely for reference or exhibition pur‐ poses; or information which is held by a local authority solely as an agent or for the sole purpose of safe custody and which is so held on behalf of a person other than a local authority; or information contained in any correspondence or communication that has taken place between the office of the Ombudsmen and any local authority and that relates to an investigation conducted by an Ombudsman under this Act or under the Ombudsmen Act 1975, other than information that came into existence before the commencement of that investigation; and (c) does not include information contained in any correspondence or com‐ munication that has taken place between the office of the Privacy Com‐ missioner and any local authority and that relates to any investigation conducted by the Privacy Commissioner under the Privacy Act 2020, other than information that came into existence before the commence‐ ment of that investigation Ombudsmen means the Ombudsmen holding office under the Ombudsmen Act 1975 organisation means— (a) (b) an organisation named in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 (other than the Parliamentary Service Commission): an organisation named in Schedule 1 of the Official Information Act 1982 person includes a corporation sole, and also a body of persons,
 whether corpo‐ rate or unincorporate personal information means any official information held about an identifia‐ ble person prescribed amount, in relation to any document or copy of any document pro‐ vided pursuant to this Act, means the amount determined in accordance with regulations made under this Act 6 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 s 2 presiding member means the Chairman or presiding member of a local authority; and includes the Mayor of a borough; and also includes any person acting as the Chairman or presiding member of a local authority or of any com‐ mittee or subcommittee of a local authority publicly notified means made known by means of a notice that— (a) is made publicly available, until any opportunity for review or appeal in relation to the matter notified has lapsed, on the local authority’s Internet site; and (b) is published in at least— (i) (ii) 1 daily newspaper circulating in the region or district of the local authority; or 1 or more other newspapers that have a combined circulation in that region or district at least equivalent to that of a daily news‐ paper circulating in that region or district statutory officer means a person— (a) (b) holding or performing the duties of an office established by an enact‐ ment; or performing duties expressly conferred on that person by virtue of that person’s office by an enactment working day means any day of the week other than— (a) a Saturday, a Sunday, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, the Sovereign’s birthday, Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day, and Labour Day; and (ab) if Waitangi Day or Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the fol‐ lowing Monday; and (b) (c) the day observed in the appropriate area as the anniversary of the prov‐ ince of which the area forms a part; and a day in the period commencing with 20 December in any year and end‐ ing with 10 January in the following year.
(2) (3) [Repealed] Subject to subsection (4), information that is held by an officer or employee or member of a local authority in that person’s capacity as such an officer or employee or member or in that person’s capacity as a statutory officer shall be deemed to be held by the local authority of which that person is an officer or employee or member.
(4) Nothing in subsection (3) applies in respect of any information that any officer or employee or member of a local authority would not hold but for that per‐ son’s membership of, or connection with, a body other than a local authority, except where that membership or connection is in that person’s capacity as 7 s 2A Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 such an officer or employee or member of that local authority or as a statutory officer.
(5) [Repealed] (6) Any information held by an independent contractor engaged by any local authority in his or her capacity as an independent contractor is, for the purposes of this Act, deemed to be held by the local authority.

Section 2(1) enactment paragraph (a)(ii): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secon‐ dary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 2(1) Internet site: inserted, on 21 March 2019, by section 29(1) of the Local Government Regulatory Systems Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 6).

Section 2(1) official information paragraph (b): amended, on 1 July 1993, by section 2(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 2(1) official information paragraph (c): added, on 1 July 1993, by section 2(2) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).
Section 2(1) official information paragraph (c): amended, on 1 December 2020, by section 217 of the Privacy Act 2020 (2020 No 31).

Section 2(1) publicly notified: replaced, on 21 March 2019, by section 29(2) of the Local Govern‐ ment Regulatory Systems Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 6).

Section 2(1) working day paragraph (a): replaced, on 12 April 2022, by wehenga 7 o Te Ture mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki 2022/section 7 of the Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 (2022 No 14).
Section 2(1) working day paragraph (ab): inserted, on 1 January 2014, by section 8 of the Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 19).

Section 2(1) working day paragraph (b): replaced, on 21 March 2019, by section 29(3) of the Local Government Regulatory Systems Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 6).

Section 2(1) working day paragraph (c): inserted, on 21 March 2019, by section 29(3) of the Local Government Regulatory Systems Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 6).
Section 2(2): repealed, on 1 October 1991, by section 362 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (1991 No 69).

Section 2(4): substituted, on 1 July 1993, by section 2(3) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 2(5): repealed, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

Section 2(6): replaced, on 26 March 2015, by section 4 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
2A Temporary definition of publicly notified as result of outbreak of COVID-19 [Repealed] Section 2A: repealed, on 1 November 2020, by section 2A(4).

Act to bind the Crown This Act binds the Crown.
Purposes The purposes of this Act are— 3 4 8 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 1 s 6 (a) to increase progressively the availability to the public of official infor‐ mation held by local authorities, and to promote the open and public transaction of business at meetings of local authorities, in order— (i) (ii) to enable more effective participation by the public in the actions and decisions of local authorities; and to promote the accountability of local authority members and offi‐ cials,— and thereby to enhance respect for the law and to promote good local government in New Zealand: (b) (c) to provide for proper access by each person to official information relat‐ ing to that person: to protect official information and the deliberations of local authorities to the extent consistent with the public interest and the preservation of per‐ sonal privacy.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 4 Section 4(a): amended, on 26 March 2015, by section 5 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
Part 1 Access to local authority information 5 Principle of availability The question whether any official information is to be made available, where that question arises under this Act, shall be determined, except where this Act otherwise expressly requires, in accordance with the purposes of this Act and the principle that the information shall be made available unless there is good reason for withholding it.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 5 6 Conclusive reasons for withholding official information Good reason for withholding official information exists, for the purpose of sec‐ tion 5, if the making available of that information would be likely— (a) (b) to prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand; or to prejudice the entrusting of information to the Government of New Zealand on a basis of confidence by— (i) (ii) the Government of another country or an agency of that Govern‐ ment; or any international organisation (as defined in section 2(1) of the Official Information Act 1982); or 9 Part 1 s 7 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (c) to prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, inves‐ tigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial; or (d) to endanger the safety of any person.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 6(a)–(d) Section 6(a): inserted, on 27 July 2023, by section 11(2) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 41).

Section 6(b): inserted, on 27 July 2023, by section 11(2) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 41).

Section 6(c) paragraph number: replaced, on 27 July 2023, by section 11(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 41).
Section 6(d) paragraph number: replaced, on 27 July 2023, by section 11(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 41).

Section 6 compare note: replaced, on 27 July 2023, by section 11(3) of the Local Government Offi‐ cial Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 41).
7 Other reasons for withholding official information (1) Where this section applies, good reason for withholding official information exists, for the purpose of section 5, unless, in the circumstances of the particu‐ lar case, the withholding of that information is outweighed by other consider‐ ations which render it desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available.
(2) Subject to sections 6, 8, and 17, this section applies if, and only if, the with‐ holding of the information is necessary to— (a) protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons; or (b) protect information where the making available of the information— (ba) (c) (i) would disclose a trade secret; or (ii) would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial pos‐ ition of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the infor‐ mation; or in the case only of an application for a resource consent, or water conser‐ vation order, or a requirement for a designation or heritage order, under the Resource Management Act 1991, to avoid serious offence to tikanga Maori, or to avoid the disclosure of the location of waahi tapu; or protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the informa‐ tion— (i) would be likely to prejudice the supply of similar information, or information from the same source, and it is in the public interest that such information should continue to be supplied; or (ii) would be likely otherwise to damage the public interest; or 10 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 1 s 9 (d) (e) avoid prejudice to measures protecting the health or safety of members of the public; or avoid prejudice to measures that prevent or mitigate material loss to members of the public; or (f) maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through— (i) (ii) the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to members or officers or employees of any local authority in the course of their duty; or the protection of such members, officers, employees, and persons from improper pressure or harassment; or (g) maintain legal professional privilege; or (h) (i) (j) enable any local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities; or enable any local authority holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations); or prevent the disclosure or use of official information for improper gain or improper advantage.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 9; 1987 No 8 ss 4(2), 5 Section 7(2)(ba): inserted, on 1 October 1991, by section 362 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (1991 No 69).

Section 7(2)(f)(i): amended, on 27 July 2023, by section 12 of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 41).
8 Information concerning existence of certain information Where a request under this Act relates to information to which section 6 or section 7(2)(b) applies, or would, if it existed, apply, the local authority dealing with the request may, if it is satisfied that the interest protected by section 6 or section 7(2)(b) would be likely to be prejudiced by the disclosure of the exis‐ tence or non-existence of such information, give notice in writing to the appli‐ cant that it neither confirms nor denies the existence or non-existence of that information.
9 (1) Compare: 1982 No 156 s 10; 1987 No 8 s 4(2) Exclusion of public interest immunity Subject to subsection (2), the rule of law which authorises or requires the with‐ holding of any document, or the refusal to answer any question, on the ground that the disclosure of the document or the answering of the question would be injurious to the public interest shall not apply in respect of— (a) an investigation by or proceedings before an Ombudsman in relation to any decision under this Act; or 11 Part 2 s 10 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (b) any application under section 8 of the Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016 for the review of any decision under this Act;— but not so as to give any party any information that that party would not, apart from this section, be entitled to.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) affects— (a) (b) section 31; or section 20(1) of the Ombudsmen Act 1975.

Compare: 1982 No 156 s 11 Section 9(1)(b): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 24 of the Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016 (2016 No 50).

Part 2 Requests for access to information held by local authorities 10 Requests (1) Any person may request any local authority to make available to that person any specified official information.
(1AA) A request under subsection (1)— (a) may be made in any form and communicated by any means (including orally); and (b) does not need to refer to this Act.
(1A) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a request made, on or after the date of com‐ mencement of this subsection, by or on behalf of a natural person for access to any personal information which is about that person shall be deemed to be a request made pursuant to information privacy principle 6(1)(b) set out in sec‐ tion 22 of the Privacy Act 2020, and shall be dealt with accordingly, and noth‐ ing in this Part or in Part 5 shall apply in relation to any such request.
(2) (3) The official information requested shall be specified with due particularity in the request.

If the person making the request asks that that request be treated as urgent, that person shall give that person’s reasons for seeking the information urgently.

(4) A local authority to which an oral request is made under subsection (1) may, if written clarification is reasonably necessary, ask the person requesting the information to put the request in writing to clarify the request.
(5) If the person requesting the information declines or is unable to put the oral request in writing, the local authority must record its understanding of the request, and provide a copy of the record to the person.

Compare: 1982 No 156 s 12; 1987 No 8 s 6 12 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 2 s 12 Section 10(1AA): inserted, on 26 March 2015, by section 6(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
Section 10(1A): inserted, on 1 July 1993, by section 3 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 10(1A): amended, on 1 December 2020, by section 217 of the Privacy Act 2020 (2020 No 31).

Section 10(4): inserted, on 26 March 2015, by section 6(2) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
Section 10(5): inserted, on 26 March 2015, by section 6(2) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
11 Assistance It is the duty of every local authority to give reasonable assistance to a person who— (a) (b) (c) wishes to make a request in accordance with section 10; or in making a request under section 10, has not made that request in accordance with that section; or has not made that person’s request to the appropriate local authority or department or Minister of the Crown or organisation,— to make a request in a manner that is in accordance with that section or to direct that person’s request to the appropriate local authority or department or Minister of the Crown or organisation.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 13 12 Transfer of requests Where— (a) (b) a request in accordance with section 10 is made to any local authority; and the information, or some of the information, to which the request relates— (i) (ii) is not held by that local authority but is believed by the person dealing with the request to be held by another local authority or a department or Minister of the Crown or organisation; or is believed by the person dealing with the request to be more closely connected with the functions of another local authority or a department or Minister of the Crown or organisation,— the chief executive of the local authority to which the request is made, or an officer or employee authorised by that chief executive, shall promptly, and in no case later than 10 working days after the day on which the request is received, transfer the request, or relevant part of the request, to the other local authority, or the appropriate department, Minister of the Crown, or organisa‐ tion, and inform the person making the request accordingly.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 14; 1987 No 8 s 7(1) 13 Part 2 s 13 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Section 12: amended, on 26 March 2015, by section 7(b) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).

Section 12: amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
Section 12(b): amended, on 26 March 2015, by section 7(a) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
13 (1) Decisions on requests Subject to this Act, the local authority to which a request is made in accordance with section 10, or is transferred in accordance with section 12 of this Act or section 14 of the Official Information Act 1982, shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in no case later than 20 working days after the day on which the request is received by that local authority,— (a) (b) decide whether the request is to be granted and, if it is to be granted, in what manner and for what charge (if any); and give or post to the person who made the request notice of the decision on the request.
(1A) Subject to section 23, every local authority (including a local authority whose activities are funded in whole or in part by another person) may charge for the supply of official information under this Act.

(2) Any charge for the supply of official information under this Act shall not exceed the prescribed amount.
(3) Where no such amount is prescribed, any charge fixed shall be reasonable, and regard may be had to the cost of the labour and materials involved in making the information available and to any costs incurred pursuant to a request of the applicant to make the information available urgently.

(4) The local authority may require that the whole or part of any charge be paid in advance.
(5) Where a request in accordance with section 10 is made or transferred to a local authority, the decision on that request shall be made by the chief executive of that local authority or an officer or employee of that local authority authorised by that chief executive unless that request is transferred in accordance with sec‐ tion 12 to another local authority or to a department, Minister of the Crown, or organisation.
(6) Nothing in subsection (5) prevents the chief executive of a local authority or any officer or employee of a local authority from consulting a local authority or any other person in relation to the decision that the chief executive or officer or employee proposes to make on any request made to the local authority in accordance with section 10 or transferred to the local authority in accordance with section 12 of this Act or section 14 of the Official Information Act 1982.
(7) If a request (the original request) is amended or clarified after the date on which it is received, the local authority that receives the request may treat the 14 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 2 s 14 amended or clarified request as a new request that, for the purposes of subsec‐ tion (1), replaces the original request.
(8) However, subsection (7) does not apply if— (a) (b) the original request is amended or clarified because the local authority sought an amendment to, or a clarification of, the request; and the local authority did not seek that amendment or clarification within 7 working days after receiving the original request.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 15; 1987 No 8 s 8(1) Section 13(1A): inserted, on 1 December 1989, by section 2 of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act (No 2) 1989 (1989 No 123).

Section 13(5): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

Section 13(6): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
Section 13(7): inserted, on 26 March 2015, by section 8 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).

Section 13(8): inserted, on 26 March 2015, by section 8 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
14 Extension of time limits (1) Where a request in accordance with section 10 is made or transferred to a local authority, the chief executive of that local authority, or an officer or employee authorised by that chief executive, may extend the time limit set out in section 12 or section 13(1) in respect of the request if— (a) (b) 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 local authority; or consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the ori‐ ginal time limit.
(2) Any extension under subsection (1) shall be for a reasonable period of time having regard to the circumstances.

(3) 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.
(4) The notice effecting the extension shall— (a) (b) (c) specify the period of the extension; and give the reasons for the extension; and state that the person who made the request for the official information has the right, under section 27(3), to make a complaint to an Ombuds‐ man about the extension; and 15 Part 2 s 15 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (d) contain such other information as is necessary.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 15A; 1987 No 8 s 9(1) Section 14(1): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
15 Documents (1) Where the information requested by any person is comprised in a document, that information may be made available in 1 or more of the following ways: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) by giving the person a reasonable opportunity to inspect the document; or by providing the person with a copy of the document; or in the case of a document that is an article or thing from which sounds or visual images are capable of being reproduced, by making arrangements for the person to hear or view those sounds or visual images; or in the case of a document by which words are recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound or in which words are contained in the form of shorthand writing or in codi‐ fied form, by providing the person with a written transcript of the words recorded or contained in the document; or by giving an excerpt or summary of the contents; or by furnishing oral information about its contents.
(1A) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), information made available in any of the ways listed in subsection (1) may be made available in electronic form or by electronic means.
(2) Subject to section 16, the local authority shall make the information available in the way preferred by the person requesting it unless to do so would— (a) (b) (c) impair efficient administration; or be contrary to any legal duty of any local authority in respect of the document; or prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7 and (in the case of the interests protected by section 7) there is no countervailing public interest.
(3) Where the information is not provided in the way preferred by the person requesting it, the local authority shall, subject to section 8, give to that per‐ son— (a) (b) the reason for not providing the information in that way; and if that person so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the interests protected 16 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 2 s 17 by section 6 or section 7 and (in the case of the interests protected by section 7) there is no countervailing public interest.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 16; 1987 No 8 s 4(2) Section 15(1A): inserted, on 26 March 2015, by section 9 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
16 Deletion of information from documents (1) Where the information requested is comprised in a document and there is good reason for withholding some of the information contained in that document, the other information in that document may be made available by making a copy of that document available with such deletions or alterations as are necessary.
(2) Where a copy of a document is made available under subsection (1), the local authority shall, subject to section 8, give to the applicant— (a) (b) the reason for withholding the information; and if the applicant so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7 and (in the case of the interests protected by section 7) there is no countervailing public interest.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 17; 1987 No 8 s 4(2) 17 Refusal of requests A request made in accordance with section 10 may be refused only for 1 or more of the following reasons, namely: (a) (b) that, by virtue of section 6 or section 7, there is good reason for with‐ holding the information: that, by virtue of section 8, the local authority does not confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of the information requested: (c) that the making available of the information requested would— (d) (da) (i) (ii) be contrary to the provisions of a specified enactment; or constitute contempt of court or of the House of Representatives: that the information requested is or will soon be publicly available: that the request is made by a defendant or person acting on behalf of a defendant and is— (i) (ii) for information that could be sought by the defendant under the Criminal Disclosure Act 2008; or for information that could be sought by the defendant under that Act and that has been disclosed to, or withheld from, the defend‐ ant under that Act: (e) that the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist or, despite reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found: 17 Part 2 s 17A Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (f) (g) that the information requested cannot be made available without sub‐ stantial collation or research: that the information requested is not held by the local authority and the person dealing with the request has no grounds for believing that the information is either— (i) (ii) held by another local authority or a department or Minister of the Crown or organisation; or connected more closely with the functions of another local author‐ ity, or a department or Minister of the Crown or organisation: (h) that the request is frivolous or vexatious or that the information reques‐ ted is trivial.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 18; 1987 No 8 ss 4(2), 10 Section 17(da): inserted, on 29 June 2009, by section 37 of the Criminal Disclosure Act 2008 (2008 No 38).

Section 17(e): amended, on 26 March 2015, by section 10 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).
17A Requests involving substantial collation or research (1) In deciding whether to refuse a request under section 17(f), the local authority must consider whether doing either or both of the following would enable the request to be granted: (a) (b) fixing a charge under section 13: extending the time limit under section 14.
(2) For the purposes of refusing a request under section 17(f), the local authority may treat as a single request 2 or more requests from the same person— (a) that are about the same subject matter or about similar subject matters; and (b) that are received simultaneously or in short succession.

Section 17A: inserted, on 22 October 2003, by section 3 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 82).
17B Duty to consider consulting person if request likely to be refused under section 17(e) or (f) If a request is likely to be refused under section 17(e) or (f), the local authority must, before that request is refused, consider whether consulting with the per‐ son who made the request would assist that person to make the request in a form that would remove the reason for the refusal.
Section 17B: inserted, on 22 October 2003, by section 3 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 82).
18 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 3 s 21 18 Reason for refusal to be given Where a request made in accordance with section 10 is refused, the local authority shall— (a) subject to section 8, give to the applicant— (i) (ii) the reason for its refusal; and if the applicant so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the inter‐ ests protected by section 6 or section 7 and (in the case of the interests protected by section 7) there is no countervailing public interest; and (b) give to the applicant information concerning the applicant’s right, by way of complaint under section 27(3) to an Ombudsman, to seek an investigation and review of the refusal.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 19; 1987 No 8 ss 4(2), 16(2) Part 3 Publication of, and access to, certain documents and information 19 Publication setting out functions of local authorities [Repealed] Section 19: repealed, on 1 July 2003, by section 266 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

20 Right of access to publication published under section 19 [Repealed] Section 20: repealed, on 1 July 2003, by section 266 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
21 (1) Right of access to internal rules affecting decisions Subject to sections 6, 7(2)(a), (b), (c), (h), and (i), 8, and 44, every person has a right to and shall, on request made under this section, be given access to any document (including a manual) which is held by a local authority and which contains policies, principles, rules, or guidelines in accordance with which decisions or recommendations are made in respect of any person or body of persons in that person’s or that body of persons’ personal capacity.
(2) Sections 10(2) and (3), 11 to 14, and 18 shall apply, with all necessary modifi‐ cations, to a request made under subsection (1).
(3) Where by virtue of any of the provisions of section 6 and section 7(2)(a), (b), (c), (h), and (i), there is good reason for withholding some of the information contained in a document to which subsection (1) relates, the local authority shall, unless it is impracticable to do so, either— 19 Part 3 s 22 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (a) make a copy of that document available with such deletions or altera‐ tions as are necessary; or (b) provide another document stating the substance and effect of the docu‐ ment except as it relates to the information withheld.
(4) Where a document is made available under subsection (3), the local authority shall, subject to section 8, give to the applicant— (a) (b) the reason for withholding the information; and if the applicant so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7(2)(a) or (b) or (c) or (h) or (i) and (in the case of the interests protected by section 7(2)(a) or (b) or (c) or (h) or (i)) there is no countervailing public interest.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 22; 1987 No 8 ss 4(2), 9(2) 22 (1) Right of access by person to reasons for decisions affecting that person Subject to sections 6, 7(2)(b), 8, and 44, where a local authority makes, on or after 1 March 1988, a decision or recommendation in respect of any person, being a decision or recommendation in respect of that person in that person’s personal capacity, that person has the right to and shall, on request made within a reasonable time of the making of the decision or recommendation, be given a written statement of— (a) (b) the findings on material issues of fact; and subject to subsection (1A), a reference to the information on which the findings were based; and (c) the reasons for the decision or recommendation.
(1A) A reference to the information on which any findings were based need not be given under subsection (1)(b) if— (a) the disclosure of the information or of information identifying the person who supplied it, being evaluative material, would breach an express or implied promise— (i) which was made to the person who supplied the information; and (ii) which was to the effect that the information or the identity of the person who supplied it or both would be held in confidence; or (b) after consultation undertaken (where practicable) by or on behalf of the local authority with a natural person’s medical practitioner, the local authority is satisfied that— (i) (ii) the information relates to that person; and the disclosure of the information (being information that relates to the physical or mental health of the person making the request 20 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 3 s 22 under this section) would be likely to prejudice the physical or mental health of that person; or (c) (d) in the case of a natural person under the age of 16, the disclosure of that information would be contrary to that person’s interests; or the disclosure of that information (being information in respect of a per‐ son who has been convicted of an offence or is or has been detained in custody) would be likely to prejudice the safe custody or the rehabilita‐ tion of that person.
(1B) For the purposes of subsection (1A), the term evaluative material means eval‐ uative or opinion material compiled solely— (a) for the purpose of determining the suitability, eligibility, or qualifications of the person to whom the material relates— (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) for employment or for appointment to office; or for promotion in employment or office or for continuation in employment or office; or for removal from employment or office; or for the awarding of contracts, awards, scholarships, honours, or other benefits; or (2) (3) (b) for the purpose of determining whether any contract, award, scholarship, honour, or benefit should be continued, modified, or cancelled.
Sections 10(3), 11 to 14, and 18 shall apply, with all necessary modifications, to a request made under subsection (1).

In subsection (1A)(b), medical practitioner means a health practitioner who is, or is deemed to be, registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand continued by section 114(1)(a) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assur‐ ance Act 2003 as a practitioner of the profession of medicine.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 23; 1987 No 8 ss 4(2), 9(2) Section 22(1)(b): amended, on 1 July 1993, by section 4(1) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 22(1A): inserted, on 1 July 1993, by section 4(2) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 22(1B): inserted, on 1 July 1993, by section 4(2) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).
Section 22(3): added, on 18 September 2004, by section 175(1) of the Health Practitioners Compe‐ tence Assurance Act 2003 (2003 No 48).
21 Part 4 s 23 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Part 4 Right of access to personal information 23 (1) Right of access to personal information Subject to this Part, and to sections 8 and 44, every person has a right to and shall, on request, be given access to any personal information which— (a) (b) is about that person; and is held in such a way that it can readily be retrieved.
(1A) The right conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised only by a person who is not a natural person.

(2) Sections 10(3), 11 to 16, and 18 shall apply, with all necessary modifications, to a request made under subsection (1).

(3) Where any person is given access to any personal information under this sec‐ tion, that person shall be advised of that person’s right, under section 25, to request the correction of that information.
(4) Nothing in this section requires, or imposes any responsibility on, any local authority to compile files or data banks of personal information.

Compare: 1982 No 156 s 24; 1987 No 8 s 13 Section 23(1): amended, on 1 July 1993, by section 5(1) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 23(1A): inserted, on 1 July 1993, by section 5(2) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).
24 Precautions Where a request is made under section 23(1), the local authority— (a) (b) (c) shall not give access to that information unless it is satisfied concerning the identity of the person making the request; and shall ensure, by the adoption of appropriate procedures, that any infor‐ mation intended for a person is received— (i) only by that person; or (ii) where the request is made by an agent of the person, only by that person or that person’s agent; and shall ensure that, where the request is made by an agent of the person, the agent has the written authority of that person to obtain the informa‐ tion or is otherwise properly authorised by that person to obtain the information.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 25 Correction of information Every person who is given access under section 23(1) to personal information may, by letter addressed to the local authority,— 25 (1) 22 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 4 s 26 (a) request correction of the personal information where the person believes that the information— (i) (ii) is inaccurate; or is incomplete and gives a misleading impression; and (b) require that a notation be attached to the information indicating the nature of any correction requested but not made.
(2) Where a local authority receives a letter pursuant to subsection (1), it shall inform the person by whom or by which the letter was sent of the action taken by the local authority as a result of the letter.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 26 26 Reasons for refusal of requests for personal information (1) A local authority may refuse to disclose any personal information requested under section 23(1), if, and only if,— (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) the disclosure of the information would be likely to prejudice any of the interests protected by section 6 or section 7(2)(b) and (in the case of the interests protected by section 7(2)(b)) there is no countervailing public interest; or the disclosure of the information would involve the unwarranted disclos‐ ure of the affairs of another person or of a deceased person; or the disclosure of the information or of information identifying the person who supplied it, being evaluative material, would breach an express or implied promise— (i) which was made to the person who supplied the information; and (ii) which was to the effect that the information or the identity of the person who supplied it or both would be held in confidence; or [Repealed] [Repealed] [Repealed] the disclosure of the information would breach legal professional privil‐ ege; or the request is frivolous or vexatious, or the information requested is triv‐ ial.
(2) No reasons other than 1 or more of the reasons set out in subsection (1) justi‐ fies a refusal to disclose any personal information requested under section 23(1).
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c), the term evaluative material means evaluative or opinion material compiled solely— 23 Part 5 s 27 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (a) (b) for the purpose of determining the suitability, eligibility, or qualifications of the person to whom the material relates for the awarding of contracts, awards, or other benefits; or for the purpose of determining whether any contract, award, or benefit should be continued, modified, or cancelled.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 27; 1987 No 8 ss 4(2), 15 Section 26(1)(d): repealed, on 1 July 1993, by section 6(1) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 26(1)(e): repealed, on 1 July 1993, by section 6(1) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 26(1)(f): repealed, on 1 July 1993, by section 6(1) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).
Section 26(3): substituted, on 1 July 1993, by section 6(2) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).
Part 5 Review of decisions Decisions under Part 2 and section 8 27 (1) Functions of Ombudsmen It shall be a function of the Ombudsmen to investigate and review any decision by which a local authority— (a) (b) (c) refuses to make official information available to any person in response to a request made by that person in accordance with section 10; or decides, in accordance with section 15 or section 16, in what manner or, in accordance with section 13, for what charge a request made in accord‐ ance with section 10 is to be granted; or imposes conditions on the use, communication, or publication of infor‐ mation made available pursuant to a request made in accordance with section 10; or (d) gives a notice under section 8.
(2) It shall be a function of the Ombudsmen to investigate and review any decision by which the chief executive of a local authority, or an officer or employee of a local authority authorised by its chief executive, extends any time limit under section 14.

(3) An investigation and review under subsection (1) or subsection (2) may be made by an Ombudsman only on complaint being made to an Ombudsman in writing or orally.

(3A) A complaint made orally must be put in writing as soon as practicable.
24 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 5 s 29 (4) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a refusal to make official information available includes, without limitation, a failure by the local authority to comply with section 13(1)— (a) as soon as is reasonably practicable, or at the latest within 20 working days, after receiving the request; or (b) within an extended time limit notified under section 14(3) to the person who requested the information.
(5) Undue delay in making official information available in response to a request for that information shall be deemed, for the purposes of subsection (1), to be a refusal to make that information available.

(6) If an Ombudsman receives a complaint that a local authority has refused to make official information available for any of the reasons specified in section 17(e) to (g), the Ombudsman may notify the Chief Archivist appointed under the Public Records Act 2005.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 28; 1987 No 8 s 16(1) Section 27(2): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

Section 27(3): substituted, on 22 October 2003, by section 4 of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 82).

Section 27(3A): inserted, on 22 October 2003, by section 4 of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 82).
Section 27(4): replaced, on 26 March 2015, by section 11(1) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).

Section 27(6): inserted, on 26 March 2015, by section 11(2) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23).

Section 27(6): amended, on 30 November 2022, by section 70 of the Statutes Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 75).
28 (1) Application of Ombudsmen Act 1975 Except as otherwise provided by this Act, the provisions of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 shall apply in respect of investigations and other proceedings carried out under this Part in respect of decisions under Part 2 or section 8 as if they were investigations carried out under the Ombudsmen Act 1975.
(2) Nothing in sections 13, 14, and 25 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 shall apply in relation to any function or power conferred on an Ombudsman by this Act or in relation to any proceeding, decision, recommendation, or act of an Ombuds‐ man under this Act.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 29 29 (1) Requirements of Ombudsman to be complied with within certain period Subject to this section, where, during the course of an investigation, under sec‐ tion 27, of any decision of any local authority, an Ombudsman, pursuant to any power conferred on that Ombudsman by section 19 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975, requires that local authority to furnish or produce to that Ombudsman 25 Part 5 s 29A Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 any information or document or paper or thing that relates to that investigation, that local authority shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in no case later than 20 working days after the day on which that requirement is received by that local authority, comply with that requirement.
(2) Where any requirement to which subsection (1) applies is made to any local authority, the chief executive of that local authority or an officer or employee of that local authority authorised by that chief executive may extend the time limit set out in subsection (1) in respect of that requirement if— (a) (b) (c) the requirement relates to, or necessitates a search through, a large quan‐ tity of information or a large number of documents or papers or things, and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the local authority; or consultations necessary before the requirement can be complied with are such that the requirement cannot reasonably be complied with within the original time limit; or the complexity of the issues raised by the requirement are such that that requirement cannot reasonably be complied with within the original time limit.
(3) Any extension under subsection (2) shall be for a reasonable period of time having regard to the circumstances.

(4) The extension shall be effected by giving or posting notice of the extension to the Ombudsman within 20 working days after the day on which the require‐ ment is received.

(5) The notice effecting the extension shall— (a) (b) (c) specify the period of the extension; and give the reasons for the extension; and contain such other information as is necessary.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 29A; 1987 No 8 s 17(1) Section 29(2): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
29A Consultation with Privacy Commissioner Where an Ombudsman investigates a complaint made under section 27 in rela‐ tion to a refusal to make official information available in reliance on section 7(2)(a), the Ombudsman shall, before forming a final opinion under section 30 in relation to the merits of refusing that request on that ground, consult with the Privacy Commissioner under the Privacy Act 2020.
Section 29A: inserted, on 1 July 1993, by section 7 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37).

Section 29A: amended, on 1 December 2020, by section 217 of the Privacy Act 2020 (2020 No 31).
26 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 5 s 31 30 Procedure after investigation (1) Where, after making an investigation of a complaint made under section 27, an Ombudsman is of the opinion— (a) (b) that the request made in accordance with section 10 should not have been refused; or that the decision complained of is unreasonable or wrong or is otherwise a decision to which subsection (1) or subsection (2) of section 22 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 applies,— the Ombudsman shall, subject to subsection (2) of this section,— (c) (d) report that Ombudsman’s opinion and that Ombudsman’s reasons there‐ for to the appropriate local authority; and subject to section 31, make such recommendations as that Ombudsman thinks fit; and (e) give to the complainant— (i) (ii) a copy of that Ombudsman’s recommendations (if any); and such other information as that Ombudsman thinks proper.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in this section, an Ombudsman shall not, in any report made under this section, make any comment that is adverse to any per‐ son unless the person has been given an opportunity to be heard.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (1), nothing in section 22 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 shall apply in respect of a decision that may be investigated and reviewed under section 27(1) or section 27(2) of this Act.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 30; 1987 No 8 s 16(3) 31 Disclosure of certain information not to be recommended (1) An Ombudsman must not recommend that information be made available if— (a) (b) the Prime Minister certifies that making the information available would be likely to prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand; or the Attorney-General certifies that making the information available would be likely to prejudice the prevention, investigation, or detection of offences.
(2) However, the Ombudsman may recommend that the appropriate local authority give further consideration to making the information available.

Compare: 1982 No 156 s 31 Section 31: replaced, on 27 July 2023, by section 13 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 41).
27 Part 5 s 32 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 32 Recommendations made to local authorities (1) Where a recommendation is made under section 30(1) to a local authority, a public duty to observe that recommendation shall be imposed on that local authority on the commencement of the 21st working day after the day on which that recommendation is made to the local authority unless, before that day, the local authority, by resolution made at a meeting of that local authority, decides otherwise and records that decision in writing.
(2) The public duty imposed by subsection (1) shall be imposed not only on the local authority itself but also on— (a) (b) (c) (d) every member, officer, and employee of that local authority to whom that recommendation is applicable; and every body within that local authority to whom that recommendation is applicable; and every statutory officer to whom that recommendation is applicable; and every person (being a person who holds information that is deemed, by virtue of section 2(5) or (6), to be held by that local authority) to whom that recommendation is applicable.
(3) As soon as practicable after a decision is made under subsection (1), the local authority making that decision shall give a copy of the decision to the Ombuds‐ man who made the recommendation, and to the person in respect of whose request that recommendation was made.
(4) Nothing in this section— (a) (b) limits section 15 of the Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016; or prevents effect being given to any interim order made under section 15 of the Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016 or to any declaration con‐ tained in any such interim order.

Compare: 1982 No 156 s 32; 1987 No 8 s 18 Section 32(4)(a): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 24 of the Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016 (2016 No 50).
Section 32(4)(b): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 24 of the Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016 (2016 No 50).

33 (1) Requirements in relation to decision Every decision made by a local authority under section 32(1) shall be published in the Gazette and publicly notified within the district of that local authority as soon as practicable after it is made.
(2) Every decision made under section 32(1) shall set out— the reasons for the decision; and the grounds in support of those reasons; and the source and purport of any advice on which the decision is based.
(a) (b) (c) 28 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 5 s 36 (3) A decision made under section 32(1) in relation to a recommendation made under section 30(1) may be made for all or any of the reasons for the decision reviewed by the Ombudsman (being reasons that were before the Ombudsman when the recommendation was made) but for no other reasons.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 32A; 1987 No 8 s 18 34 Right of review (1) Where— (a) (b) a recommendation is made under section 30(1) in respect of a request made under section 10; and a decision is made under section 32(1) in respect of that recommenda‐ tion,— the person who made that request may apply to the High Court for a review of that decision.
(2) An application under subsection (1) may be made on the ground that the deci‐ sion was beyond the powers conferred by sections 32 and 33 or was otherwise wrong in law.

(3) On an application under subsection (1), the High Court may— (a) make an order confirming that the decision was validly made; or (b) make an order declaring that the decision was beyond the powers con‐ ferred by sections 32 and 33 or was otherwise wrong in law.
(4) Unless the High Court is satisfied that an application brought under subsection (1) has not been reasonably or properly brought, it shall, in determining the application and irrespective of the result of the application, order that the costs of the applicant on a solicitor and client basis shall be paid by the local author‐ ity that made the decision in respect of which the application is brought.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 32B; 1987 No 8 s 18 35 Appeals Any party to an application under section 34 who is dissatisfied with any final or interlocutory order in respect of an application may appeal to the Court of Appeal; and section 56 of the Senior Courts Act 2016 shall apply to any such appeal.

Compare: 1982 No 156 s 32C; 1987 No 8 s 18 Section 35: amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 183(b) of the Senior Courts Act 2016 (2016 No 48).
36 Complainant to be informed of result of investigation The Ombudsman who investigates a complaint made for the purposes of sec‐ tion 27(3) shall inform the complainant, in such manner and at such time as that Ombudsman thinks proper, of the result of the investigation.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 33; 1987 No 8 s 16(4) 29 Part 5 s 37 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 37 Restriction on application for review Where any person makes a request under this Act that official information be made available to that person and a decision to which section 27(1) or section 27(2) applies is made in relation to that request, that person— (a) (b) shall not make an application under section 8 of the Judicial Review Pro‐ cedure Act 2016 for the review of that decision; and shall not commence any proceedings in which that decision is sought to be challenged, quashed, or called in question in any court,— unless a complaint made by that person in respect of that decision has first been determined under this Part.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 34; 1987 No 8 s 16(5) Section 37(a): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 24 of the Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016 (2016 No 50).

Decisions under Part 3 or Part 4 38 (1) (2) Application of Ombudsmen Act 1975 It shall be a function of the Ombudsmen to investigate, pursuant to the Ombudsmen Act 1975, any decision made by a local authority under Part 3 or Part 4 of this Act, except a decision made under section 8 in relation to a request made under Part 3 or Part 4.
The provisions of section 29, so far as they are applicable and with the neces‐ sary modifications, shall apply in respect of any requirement, made by any Ombudsman in the course of any investigation conducted pursuant to subsec‐ tion (1), whereby that Ombudsman, pursuant to any power conferred on that Ombudsman by section 19 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975, requires any local authority to furnish or produce to that Ombudsman any information or docu‐ ment or paper or thing that relates to that investigation.
(3) Where the Ombudsman, after making an investigation, forms an opinion of the kind described in subsection (1) or subsection (2) or subsection (3) of section 22 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975, that Ombudsman shall, subject to subsection (6) of this section, report that Ombudsman’s opinion to the appropriate local authority, and may make such recommendations as that Ombudsman thinks fit in accordance with section 22(3) of the Ombudsmen Act 1975.
(4) Where a report is made under subsection (3) to a local authority, the Ombuds‐ man shall request the local authority to notify the Ombudsman, within a speci‐ fied time, of the steps (if any) that the local authority proposes to take to give effect to the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
If, within a reasonable time after the report is made under section 22(3) of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 (as applied by subsection (3) of this section), no action is taken which seems to an Ombudsman to be adequate and appropriate, the Ombudsman shall, after considering the comments (if any) made by or on (5) 30 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 5 s 39 behalf of any local authority affected, inform the complainant of the Ombuds‐ man’s recommendations and make such comments as the Ombudsman thinks fit in accordance with section 24 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975.
(6) Notwithstanding anything in this section, an Ombudsman shall not, in any report made under this section, make any comment that is adverse to any per‐ son unless the person has first been given an opportunity to be heard.
(7) If, in relation to any request for official information made under Part 3 or Part 4, any local authority fails within the time limit fixed by section 13(1) (or, where that time limit has been extended under this Act, within that time limit as so extended) to comply with paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of section 13(1), that failure shall be deemed, for the purposes of subsection (1), to be a decision made under Part 3 or Part 4.
(8) Undue delay in giving any person access to official information in response to a request under Part 3 or Part 4 for access to that information shall be deemed, for the purposes of subsection (1), to be a decision made under Part 3 or Part 4.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 35; 1987 No 8 ss 17(2), 19 39 Ombudsman may require publication of summary of report (1) Where an Ombudsman has prepared a report under section 38(3), the Ombuds‐ man may prepare and send to the chief executive of the local authority con‐ cerned a written summary of the contents of that report and require that officer to make copies of that summary available during ordinary business hours for inspection by members of the public without charge.
Any member of the public may make a copy of the whole or any part of the summary.

(2) Before forwarding any such written summary to the appropriate chief executive under subsection (1), the Ombudsman shall send a copy of it in draft form to the local authority concerned for perusal, and shall, as far as practicable, incorporate in the summary any comments made to the Ombudsman by the local authority.
(3) Within 1 week after the report is received by the local authority, the chief executive of that local authority shall, at the expense of the local authority, give public notice in such form and in such newspapers as the Ombudsman shall require of the availability of the report for inspection and of the places where it may be inspected.

(4) Every such report shall be made available for a period of 4 weeks from the date of the first publication of the public notice.
Compare: 1975 No 9 s 23 Section 39(1): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

Section 39(2): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

Section 39(3): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
31 Part 5 s 40 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 40 Saving in respect of Ombudsmen Act 1975 Saving Except as expressly provided in this Act, nothing in this Act shall derogate from or limit the functions of the Ombudsmen under the Ombudsmen Act 1975.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 36 Part 6 Miscellaneous provisions relating to access to official information 41 Protection against certain actions (1) Where any official information is made available in good faith pursuant to Part 2 or Part 3 or Part 4 by any local authority,— (a) (b) no proceedings, civil or criminal, shall lie against the local authority or any other person in respect of the making available of that information, or for any consequences that flow from the making available of that information; and no proceedings, civil or criminal, in respect of any publication involved in, or resulting from, the making available of that information shall lie against the author of the information or any other person by reason of that author or other person having supplied the information to a local authority.
(2) The making available of, or the giving of access to, any official information in consequence of a request made under Part 2 or Part 3 or Part 4 shall not be taken, for the purposes of the law relating to defamation or breach of confi‐ dence or infringement of copyright, to constitute an authorisation or approval of the publication of the document or of its contents by the person to whom the information is made available or the access is given.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 48; 1987 No 8 s 21 42 Delegation of powers by local authority (1) A local authority may from time to time, either generally or particularly, dele‐ gate to any officer or employee of the local authority all or any of the powers of the local authority under Parts 2 to 5, except any powers specified in section 32.
Subject to any general or special directions given or conditions attached by the local authority, the officer or employee to whom any powers are delegated under this section may exercise those powers in the same manner and with the same effect as if they had been conferred on that officer or employee directly by this section and not by delegation.
(2) 32 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 6 s 43 (3) Until a delegation made under this section is revoked, it shall continue in force according to its tenor.

(4) Where a person purports to act pursuant to a delegation made under this sec‐ tion, that person shall be presumed to be acting in accordance with the terms of the delegation in the absence of proof to the contrary.
(5) Any delegation under this section may be made to a specified officer or employee, or may be made to the holder for the time being of a specified office.

(6) Every delegation made under this section shall be revocable at will, and no such delegation shall prevent the exercise of any power by the local authority.
Compare: 1974 No 66 s 715; 1979 No 59 s 2 43 Delegation of powers by officers (1) Any officer or employee of a local authority may from time to time, by writing under that officer’s or employee’s hand, either generally or particularly, dele‐ gate to any other officer or employee of the local authority all or any of the powers exercisable by the first-mentioned officer or employee under Parts 2 to 5 or section 46A, except— (a) (b) the power to delegate under this section; and any power delegated to that officer or employee by a local authority pur‐ suant to section 42, unless that delegation authorises that officer or employee to delegate that power to other officers or employees pursuant to this section.
(2) Subject to any general or special directions given or conditions attached by the officer or employee making the delegation, the officer or employee to whom any powers are delegated under this section may exercise those powers in the same manner and with the same effect as if they had been conferred on that officer or employee directly by this section and not by delegation.
(3) Until a delegation made under this section is revoked, it shall continue in force according to its tenor; and, in the event of the officer or employee by whom any such delegation has been made ceasing to hold office, the delegation shall continue to have effect as if made by the person for the time being holding the office of the officer or employee making the delegation.
(4) Any delegation under this section may be made to a specified officer or employee, or may be made to the holder for the time being of any specified office.

(5) Where any officer or employee purports to act pursuant to a delegation made under this section, that officer or employee shall be presumed to be acting in accordance with the terms of the delegation in the absence of proof to the con‐ trary.
33 Part 6 s 44 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (6) Every delegation made under this section shall be revocable at will and no such delegation shall prevent the exercise of any power by the officer or employee making the delegation.

Compare: 1974 No 66 s 716; 1979 No 59 s 2 Section 43(1): amended, on 1 October 1991, by section 5(2) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).
44 Savings (1) Nothing in Parts 1 to 5 authorises or permits the making available of any offi‐ cial information if the making available of that information would constitute contempt of court or of the House of Representatives.
(2) Nothing in Parts 1 to 5 derogates from— (a) (b) any provision which is contained in any other enactment and which authorises or requires official information to be made available; or any provision which is contained in any other Act of Parliament or in any regulations within the meaning of the Regulations Act 1936 (made by Order in Council and in force immediately before 1 March 1988) and which— (i) (ii) imposes a prohibition or restriction in relation to the availability of official information; or regulates the manner in which official information may be obtained or made available.
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 52; 1987 No 8 s 22 Land information memoranda Heading: inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 2 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act (No 2) 1991 (1991 No 151).

44A Land information memorandum (1) A person may apply to a territorial authority for the issue, within 10 working days, of a land information memorandum in relation to matters affecting any land in the district of the authority.
(2) The matters which shall be included in that memorandum are— (a) information identifying each (if any) special feature or characteristic of the land concerned, including but not limited to potential erosion, avul‐ sion, falling debris, subsidence, slippage, alluvion, or inundation, or likely presence of hazardous contaminants, being a feature or character‐ istic that— (i) (ii) is known to the territorial authority; but is not apparent from the district scheme under the Town and Country Planning Act 1977 or a district plan under the Resource Management Act 1991: 34 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 6 s 44A (b) information on private and public stormwater and sewerage drains as shown in the territorial authority’s records: (ba) [Repealed] (bb) information on— (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) whether the land is supplied with drinking water and if so, whether the supplier is the owner of the land or a drinking water supplier: if the land is supplied with drinking water by a drinking water supplier, any conditions that are applicable to that supply: if the land is supplied with water by the owner of the land, any information the territorial authority has about the supply: any exemption that has been notified by Taumata Arowai to the territorial authority under section 57 of the Water Services Act 2021: (c) (ca) information relating to any rates owing in relation to the land: if the land concerned is located in a levy area that is subject to a levy order under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020, informa‐ tion about— (i) (ii) the levy period: how liability for a levy on the land is assessed: (iii) amounts of any unpaid levy: (cb) if the land concerned is located in a project area that is subject to a targe‐ ted rates order under the Urban Development Act 2020, information about— (i) (ii) the financial years to which the order applies; and how liability for targeted rates under that Act on the land is calcu‐ lated; and (iii) amounts of any unpaid targeted
 rates under that Act: (d) (da) (e) (ea) information concerning any consent, certificate, notice, order, or requisi‐ tion affecting the land or any building on the land previously issued by the territorial authority (whether under the Building Act 1991, the Build‐ ing Act 2004, or any other Act): the information required to be provided to a territorial authority under section 362T(2) of the Building Act 2004: information concerning any certificate issued by a building certifier pur‐ suant to the Building Act 1991 or the Building Act 2004: information notified to the territorial authority under section 124 of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act 2006: 35 Part 6 s 44A Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (f) (g) (h) information relating to the use to which that land may be put and condi‐ tions attached to that use: information which, in terms of any other Act, has been notified to the territorial authority by any statutory organisation having the power to classify land or buildings for any purpose: any information which has been notified to the territorial authority by any network utility operator pursuant to the Building Act 1991 or the Building Act 2004.
(3) In addition to the information provided for under subsection (2), a territorial authority may provide in the memorandum such other information concerning the land as the authority considers, at its discretion, to be relevant.

(4) An application for a land information memorandum shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by any charge fixed by the territorial authority in relation thereto.
(5) In the absence of proof to the contrary, a land information memorandum shall be sufficient evidence of the correctness, as at the date of its issue, of any infor‐ mation included in it pursuant to subsection (2).

(6) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, there shall be no grounds for the territorial authority to withhold information specified in terms of sub‐ section (2) or to refuse to provide a land information memorandum where this has been requested.
Section 44A: inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 2 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act (No 2) 1991 (1991 No 151).

Section 44A(2)(ba): repealed, on 15 November 2021, by section 206(1) of the Water Services Act 2021 (2021 No 36).

Section 44A(2)(bb): inserted, on 1 July 2008, by section 18 of the Health (Drinking Water) Amend‐ ment Act 2007 (2007 No 92).
Section 44A(2)(bb)(i): amended, on 15 November 2021, by section 206(1) of the Water Services Act 2021 (2021 No 36).

Section 44A(2)(bb)(ii): amended, on 15 November 2021, by section 206(1) of the Water Services Act 2021 (2021 No 36).

Section 44A(2)(bb)(iv): inserted, on 15 November 2021, by section 206(1) of the Water Services Act 2021 (2021 No 36).

Section 44A(2)(ca): inserted, on 7 August 2020, by section 161 of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (2020 No 47).
Section 44A(2)(cb): inserted, on 7 August 2020, by section 300 of the Urban Development Act 2020 (2020 No 42).

Section 44A(2)(d): amended, on 31 March 2005, by section 414 of the Building Act 2004 (2004 No 72).

Section 44A(2)(da): inserted, on 28 November 2013, by section 77 of the Building Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 100).

Section 44A(2)(e): amended, on 31 March 2005, by section 414 of the Building Act 2004 (2004 No 72).
36 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 7 s 45 Section 44A(2)(ea): inserted, on 1 April 2007, by section 127(5) of the Weathertight Homes Reso‐ lution Services Act 2006 (2006 No 84).

Section 44A(2)(h): amended, on 31 March 2005, by section 414 of the Building Act 2004 (2004 No 72).
Part 7 Local authority meetings 45 (1) Interpretation In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,— meeting, in relation to a local authority, means, subject to subsection (2),— (a) any annual, biennial, triennial, ordinary, or extraordinary meeting of a local authority; and (b) any meeting of— (i) (ii) if— (iii) (iv) any committee or standing committee or special committee or subcommittee of a local authority; and any meeting of any joint standing committee or joint special com‐ mittee appointed by 2 or more local authorities, and any subcom‐ mittee of any such committee— any function, duty, or power is conferred or imposed on that com‐ mittee or subcommittee by any enactment; or that committee or subcommittee is empowered to exercise or per‐ form, on behalf of any local authority or any committee of any local authority, any function, duty, or power conferred or imposed on any local authority, or on any committee of any local authority, by or under any enactment or bylaw minutes, in relation to any meeting of any local authority, means any minutes or other record of the proceedings of any such meeting.
(1A) Despite subsection (1), meeting, in relation to a local authority that is a board of inquiry, special tribunal, or freshwater hearings panel given authority to con‐ duct hearings under section 149J or 202 or clause 58 of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991 is limited to any hearing that— (a) (b) the board or tribunal holds under section 149L or 206 of the Resource Management Act 1991; and the freshwater hearings panel holds under clause 39 of Schedule 1 of that Act.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that any meeting of a local authority or of any committee or subcommittee of a local authority, at which no resolutions or decisions are made is not a meeting for the purposes of this Part.

37 Part 7 s 45A Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Section 45(1) meeting: amended, on 1 October 1991, by section 3(1) of the Local Government Offi‐ cial Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).
Section 45(1) meeting paragraph (a): substituted, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Gov‐ ernment Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

Section 45(1A): replaced, on 1 July 2020, by section 109 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 30).

Section 45(2): added, on 1 October 1991, by section 3(2) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).
45A Application of this Part to certain local authorities The only provisions of this Part that apply to the following local authorities are sections 48 and 53: (a) (b) (c) a board of inquiry given authority to conduct hearings under section 149J of the Resource Management Act 1991; and a special tribunal given authority to conduct hearings under section 202 of the Resource Management Act 1991; and a freshwater hearings panel given authority to conduct hearings under clause 58 of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Section 45A: inserted, on 4 September 2013, by section 5 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 65).

Section 45A(c): inserted, on 1 July 2020, by section 109 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 30).
46 Meetings of local authorities to be publicly notified (1) Subject to subsection (2), every local authority shall, not more than 14 days and not less than 5 days before the end of every month, cause to be publicly notified a list of all meetings of that local authority scheduled to be held in the following month, together with the dates on which, and the times and places at which, those meetings are to be held.
(2) Where any meeting of a local authority is to be held on or after the 21st day of any month, the local authority may, instead of causing that meeting to be pub‐ licly notified in accordance with subsection (1), cause that meeting to be pub‐ licly notified not more than 10 nor less than 5 working days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.
(3) If an extraordinary or emergency meeting of a local authority is called and can‐ not be publicly notified in the manner required or permitted by subsections (1) and (2), the local authority must cause that meeting and the general nature of business to be transacted at that meeting— (a) (b) to be publicly notified as soon as practicable before the meeting is to be held; or if it is not practicable to publish a notice in newspapers before the meet‐ ing, to be notified as soon as practicable on the local authority’s Internet site and in any other manner that is reasonable in the circumstances.
38 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 7 s 46 (4) [Repealed] (5) No meeting of any local authority shall be invalid merely because that meeting was not publicly notified in accordance with this section.
(6) Where a local authority becomes aware that any meeting of that local authority has not been publicly notified in accordance with this section, that local author‐ ity shall, as soon as practicable, give public notice that that meeting was not so notified, and shall, in that notice,— (a) (b) state the general nature of the business transacted at that meeting; and give the reasons why that meeting was not so notified.
(7) Nothing in subsections (1) to (6) applies to a board constituted under subpart 5 of Part 3 of the Education and Training Act 2020, but every board must take all reasonable steps to ensure that parents (within the meaning of that Act) of stu‐ dents enrolled at schools that the board administers can readily find out, within a reasonable time before those meetings, where and when meetings of the board are to be held.
(8) Nothing in this section applies to— (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) the New Zealand Conservation Authority established under section 6A of the Conservation Act 1987: [Repealed] Provincial Patriotic Councils: the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee established by section 62 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999: the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee established by section 56 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
Section 46: substituted, on 1 October 1991, by section 4(1) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).

Section 46(3): replaced, on 21 March 2019, by section 30 of the Local Government Regulatory Sys‐ tems Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 6).

Section 46(4): repealed, on 21 March 2019, by section 30 of the Local Government Regulatory Sys‐ tems Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 6).
Section 46(7): replaced, on 1 August 2020, by section 668 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (2020 No 38).

Section 46(8)(a): substituted, on 13 March 1996, by section 11 of the National Parks Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 4).

Section 46(8)(b): repealed, on 1 April 2000, by section 7 of the Children’s Health Camps Board Dis‐ solution Act 1999 (1999 No 141).

Section 46(8)(d): added, on 1 January 2000, by section 196(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (1999 No 142).
Section 46(8)(e): added, on 1 January 2000, by section 196(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (1999 No 142).
39 Part 7 s 46A Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 46A Availability of agendas and reports (1) Subject to subsections (6) to (10), any member of the public may, without pay‐ ment of a fee, inspect, during normal office hours, within a period of at least 2 working days before every meeting, all agendas and associated reports circula‐ ted to members of the local authority and relating to that meeting.
(2) Subject to subsections (6) to (10), the agendas— (a) shall be available for inspection under subsection (1) at the public offices of the local authority (including service delivery centres) and the public libraries under the authority’s control; and (b) shall be accompanied by either— (i) (ii) the associated reports; or a notice specifying the places at which the associated reports may be inspected under subsection (1).
(3) Subject to subsections (6) to (10), the associated reports shall be available for inspection under subsection (1) at the public offices of the local authority.

(4) Any member of the public may take notes from any agenda or report inspected by that member of the public under subsection (1).
(5) Every member of the public who inspects an agenda or report made available under subsection (1) and who requests a copy of any part of any such agenda or report and tenders the prescribed amount (if any) shall be given such a copy as soon as practicable.

(6) Where a meeting is an extraordinary meeting called pursuant to a resolution of the local authority, the local authority must cause the agenda and any associ‐ ated reports to be made available as soon as is reasonable in the circumstances.
(7) An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at the meet‐ ing if— (a) (b) the local authority by resolution so decides; and the presiding member explains at the meeting at a time when it is open to the public,— (i) (ii) the reason why the item is not on the agenda; and the reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.
(7A) Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,— (a) that item may be discussed at that meeting if— (i) (ii) that item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but 40 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 7 s 48 (b) no resolution, decision, or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.
The chief executive may exclude from the reports made available under sub‐ section (1), reports or items from reports that he or she reasonably expects the meeting to discuss with the public excluded.

The chief executive shall indicate on each agenda the items that he or she reasonably expects the meeting to discuss with the public excluded.
(8) (9) (10) Where agendas and associated reports are for meetings of community boards, it shall be sufficient for the purposes of this section that they be available for public viewing at the main office of the local authority and those service deliv‐ ery centres and public libraries, if any, under the control of the local authority situated within the community.
Section 46A: inserted, on 1 October 1991, by section 5(1) of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).

Section 46A(6): substituted, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

Section 46A(7): amended, on 7 July 2004, by section 3 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 65).
Section 46A(7A): inserted, on 2 September 1996, by section 2(2) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 132).

Section 46A(8): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).

Section 46A(9): amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
46B Modifications to section 46A while epidemic notice in force for COVID-19 [Repealed] Section 46B: repealed, on 20 October 2022, by section 46B(3).

47 Admission of public to meetings of local authorities Except as otherwise provided by this Part, every meeting of a local authority shall be open to the public.

Compare: 1962 No 113 s 3; 1975 No 125 s 3 47A Modifications to section 47 while epidemic notice in force for COVID-19 [Repealed] Section 47A: repealed, on 20 October 2022, by section 47A(3).
Right of local authorities to exclude public Subject to subsection (3), a local authority may by resolution exclude the pub‐ lic from the whole or any part of the proceedings of any meeting only on 1 or more of the following grounds: 48 (1) 41 Part 7 s 48 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (a) that the public conduct of the whole or the relevant part of the proceed‐ ings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of infor‐ mation for which good reason for withholding would exist,— (i) where the local authority is named or specified in Schedule 1, under section 6 or section 7 (except section 7(2)(f)(i)): (ii) where the local authority is named or specified in Schedule 2 of this Act, under section 6 or section 7 or section 9 (except section 9(2)(g)(i)) of the Official Information Act 1982: that the public conduct of the whole or the relevant part of the proceed‐ ings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of infor‐ mation the public disclosure of which would— (i) (ii) be contrary to the provisions of a specified enactment; or constitute contempt of court or of the House of Representatives: that the purpose of the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting is to consider a recommendation made to that local authority by an Ombudsman under section 30(1) or section 38(3) of this Act (in the case of a local authority named or specified in Schedule 1) or under section 30(1) or section 35(2) of the Official Information Act 1982 (in the case of a local authority named or specified in Schedule 2 of this Act): that the exclusion of the public from the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting is necessary to enable the local authority to deliberate in private on its decision or recommendation in any proceed‐ ings to which this paragraph applies.
(b) (c) (d) (2) Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) applies to— (a) any proceedings before a local authority where— (i) (ii) a right of appeal lies to any court or tribunal against the final deci‐ sion of the local authority in those proceedings; or the local authority is required, by any enactment, to make a rec‐ ommendation in respect of the matter that is the subject of those proceedings; and (b) (c) [Repealed] any proceedings of a local authority in relation to any application or objection under the Marine Farming Act 1971.
(3) Every resolution excluding the public from any meeting shall be in the form set out in Schedule 2A and shall state— (a) (b) the general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded; and the reason for the passing of that resolution in relation to that matter, including, where that resolution is passed in reliance on subsection 42 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 7 s 49 (1)(a), the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of this Act, or section 6 or section 7 or section 9 of the Official Infor‐ mation Act 1982, as the case may require, which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings in pub‐ lic; and (c) the grounds on which that resolution is based (being 1 or more of the grounds set out in subsection (1)).
(4) Every resolution to exclude the public shall be put at a time when the meeting is open to the public, and the text of that resolution (or copies thereof)— (a) (b) shall be available to any member of the public who is present; and shall form part of the minutes of the local authority.
(5) A resolution pursuant to subsection (1), may also provide for 1 or more speci‐ fied persons to remain after the public has been excluded if that person, or per‐ sons, has or have, in the opinion of the local authority, knowledge that will assist the authority.
(6) Where a local authority resolves that 1 or more persons may remain after the public has been excluded, the resolution must state the knowledge possessed by that person or those persons which will be of assistance in relation to the matter to be discussed and how it is relevant to that matter.

Section 48: substituted, on 1 October 1991, by section 6(1) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).
Section 48(2)(b): repealed, on 1 October 1991, by section 362 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (1991 No 69).
49 Provisions applying when meeting open to public Where a meeting of a local authority is required by this Part to be open to the public during the proceedings or any part of them, the following provisions shall apply: (a) for the purposes of this Part, bona fide members of the news media shall be deemed to be members of the public, and shall be entitled to attend any meeting or any part of a meeting for the purpose of reporting the proceedings for any news media: (b) where copies of the agenda for any meeting are reproduced by any means for use by members of a local authority, that local authority shall cause such additional copies of the agenda to be reproduced as may in its opinion be necessary to ensure an adequate supply for persons request‐ ing copies pursuant to paragraph (c): (c) where any member of the public who attends a meeting of a local authority requests a copy of the agenda and tenders the prescribed amount (if any), that person shall be given a copy of every agenda repro‐ duced for use by members of the local authority at that meeting of which there is a spare copy, and may take each away with that person: 43 Part 7 s 50 (d) Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 copies of the agenda supplied for members of the public as provided in paragraph (b) shall include such further statements or particulars, if any, as are necessary to indicate the nature of any items included in the agenda, unless that item refers to any matter to be considered by the local authority when the meeting is not likely to be open to the public.
Compare: 1962 No 113 s 5; 1963 No 109 s 2; 1975 No 125 s 5 50 Maintenance of order (1) The person presiding at any meeting of any local authority may, if that person believes, on reasonable grounds, that the behaviour of any member of the pub‐ lic attending that meeting is likely to prejudice or to continue to prejudice the orderly conduct of that meeting if that member of the public is permitted to remain in that meeting, require that member of the public to leave the meeting.
(2) If any member of the public who is required, pursuant to subsection (1), to leave a meeting of a local authority— (a) (b) refuses or fails to leave the meeting; or having left the meeting, attempts to re-enter the meeting without the per‐ mission of the person presiding at the meeting,— any constable, or any officer or employee of the local authority, may, at the request of the person presiding at the meeting, remove or, as the case may require, exclude that member of the public from the meeting.
Compare: 1962 No 113 s 6 51 Right of public to inspect or receive copies of minutes of meeting (1) Any member of the public may, without payment of fee, at the local authority’s office and during normal office hours, inspect the minutes of any meeting or part of any meeting of the local authority (not being a meeting or part of a meeting from which the public was excluded) and may take notes therefrom.
(2) Every member of the public so inspecting any such minutes who requests a copy of any part thereof and tenders the prescribed amount (if any) shall be given such a copy.
(3) Where any person requests a copy of the minutes of any meeting or part of a meeting from which the public was excluded pursuant to this Part, the request shall,— (a) where the local authority concerned is named or specified in Schedule 1, be deemed to be a request for access to official information made under this Act; and (b) where the local authority concerned is named or specified in Schedule 2, be deemed to be a request for access to official information made under the Official Information Act 1982,— and shall be dealt with by that local authority accordingly.
Compare: 1962 No 113 s 7; 1975 No 125 s 6 44 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 7 s 53 51AA Modifications to section 51 while epidemic notice in force for COVID-19 [Repealed] Section 51AA: repealed, on 20 October 2022, by section 51AA(3).
51A Public notification of resolution at extraordinary meeting (1) A local authority must, as soon as practicable, publicly notify any resolution passed at an extraordinary meeting of the local authority unless— (a) (b) the resolution was passed at a meeting or part of a meeting from which the public was excluded; or the extraordinary meeting was publicly notified at least 5 working days before the day on which the meeting was held.
(2) For the purposes of this section, resolution means the resolution on the matter or matters for which the extraordinary meeting was held.

Section 51A: substituted, on 7 July 2004, by section 4 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 65).
52 Defamatory matter in copy of agenda or additional particulars supplied to public or in minutes of meeting Where a meeting of any local authority is open to the public during the pro‐ ceedings or any part thereof, and— (a) (b) there is supplied to a member of the public a copy of the agenda for the meeting with or without further statements or particulars for the purpose of indicating the nature of any item included in the agenda; or the minutes of that meeting or part are produced for inspection by any member of the public or a copy thereof is given to any member of the public,— the publication thereby of any defamatory matter included in the agenda or in the further statements or particulars or in the minutes shall be privileged unless, in any proceedings for defamation in respect of that publication, the plaintiff proves that, in publishing the matter, the defendant was predominantly motiva‐ ted by ill will towards the plaintiff, or otherwise took improper advantage of the occasion of publication.
Compare: 1962 No 113 s 8; 1975 No 125 s 7 Section 52: amended, on 1 February 1993, by section 56(1) of the Defamation Act 1992 (1992 No 105).
53 Oral statements at local authority meetings privileged (1) Any oral statement made at any meeting of a local authority in accordance with the rules that have been adopted by that local authority for the guidance and order of its proceedings shall be privileged, unless, in any proceedings for defa‐ mation in respect of the statement, the plaintiff proves that, in making the state‐ ment, the defendant was predominantly motivated by ill will towards the plain‐ tiff, or otherwise took improper advantage of the occasion of publication.
45 Part 7 s 54 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 (2) The privilege conferred by subsection (1) is in addition to and not in substitu‐ tion for or derogation of any other privilege, whether absolute or qualified, that applies, by virtue of any other enactment or rule of law, to the proceedings of any local authority.

Section 53(1): amended, on 1 February 1993, by section 56(1) of the Defamation Act 1992 (1992 No 105).
54 This Part to prevail over other enactments Any provisions in any enactment in relation to attendance by the public at any meeting of any local authority or at any meeting of any committee or subcom‐ mittee of any local authority, or in relation to inspection of the minutes of any such meeting, shall be read subject to the provisions of this Part.
Compare: 1962 No 113 s 9 Part 8 Miscellaneous provisions 55 (1) Regulations The Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes: (a) (b) (c) prescribing forms of applications and other documents required for the purposes of this Act, or authorising any person to prescribe or approve such forms: prescribing reasonable charges or scales of reasonable charges for the purposes of this Act: providing for such matters as are contemplated by or necessary for giv‐ ing full effect to this Act and for its due administration.
(2) Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 1982 No 156 s 47 Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section LA19 s 69(1)(c) PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify Publication it in the Gazette The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) LA19 ss 115, 116 Presentation Disallowance This note is not part of the Act.
Section 55(2): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
56 Power to amend Schedules 1 and 2 by Order in Council (1) Where any class of local authority named in Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 is abol‐ ished, or its name is altered, or any specified local authority named in Schedule 46 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Part 8 s 59 1 or Schedule 2 is abolished, or its name is altered, the Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make such amendments to those schedules as may be necessary to give effect to the abolition or alteration.
(2) An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legis‐ lation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 1962 No 113 s 2(2); 1975 No 125 s 2(5); 1982 No 156 s 49 Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section LA19 s 69(1)(c) PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify Publication it in the Gazette The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) LA19 ss 115, 116 Presentation Disallowance This note is not part of the Act.
57 (1) (2) 58 (1) (2) 59 (1) (2) Section 56(2): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Consequential amendments to other enactments The enactments specified in Schedule 3 are hereby amended in the manner indicated in that schedule.

Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Repeals and revocations The enactments specified in Schedule 4 are hereby repealed.

The Orders in Council specified in Schedule 5 are hereby revoked.
Transitional provisions for amendments made on or after commencement of Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2013 The transitional provisions set out in Schedule 6 have effect for the purposes of this Act.

The provisions relate to amendments made to this Act on or after the com‐ mencement of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2013.
Section 59: inserted, on 4 September 2013, by section 6 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 65).

47 Schedule 1 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Schedule 1 Local authorities to which Parts 1 to 7 apply Schedule 1: substituted, on 1 October 1991, by section 7(1) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).
s 2 Part 1 Classes of local authorities Administering bodies of reserves as defined in section 2(1) of the Reserves Act 1977 (other than a Minister of the Crown or a department) Airport authorities (other than airport companies (as defined in section 2 of the Air‐ port Authorities Act 1966)) Community boards Community boards, boards of inquiry, freshwater hearings panels, public bodies, spe‐ cial tribunals, or any person given authority to conduct hearings under section 33, 34, 34A, 117, 149J, or 202 or clause 58 of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991 Irrigation boards Licensing trusts Local boards within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2002 Public reserves special boards, trusts, or trust boards Regional councils Territorial authorities within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2002 Schedule 1 Part 1: amended, on 1 July 2020, by section 109 of the Resource Management Amend‐ ment Act 2020 (2020 No 30).
Schedule 1 Part 1: amended, on 8 August 2014, by section 78 of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2014 (2014 No 55).

Schedule 1 Part 1: amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
Schedule 1 Part 1: amended, on 7 October 1994, by section 96(1) of the Energy Companies Act 1992 (1992 No 56) Part 2 Particular local authorities The Aotea Centre Board of Management The board established under Part 7 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 The Canterbury Museum Trust Board Chatham Islands Council 48 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Schedule 1 The Council of the Auckland Institute and Museum The Greytown Trust Lands Trustees Hauraki Gulf Forum The Lake District Waterways Authority The Masterton Trust Lands Trust The Museum of Transport and Technology Board The Otago Museum Trust Board The Riccarton Bush Trustees The selection body established under Schedule 2 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority (as established by section 106 of the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014) The Wairarapa Cadet Training Farm Trust Board Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 1 August 2014, by section 165(2) of the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tām‐ aki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014 (2014 No 52).
Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 1 November 2010, by section 113(1) of the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010 (2010 No 37).

Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 1 April 2000, by section 28(3) of the Museum of Transport and Tech‐ nology Act 2000 (2000 No 1 (P)).

Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 27 February 2000, by section 49 of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 (2000 No 1).
Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 8 October 1998, by section 20(2) of the Selwyn Plantation Board Empowering Act 1992 (1992 No 4 (L)).

Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 1 July 1996, by section 11(2) of the Marlborough Forestry Corpor‐ ation Act Repeal Act 1996 (1996 No 2 (L)).

Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 1 November 1995, by section 33 of the Chatham Islands Council Act 1995 (1995 No 41).

Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 7 October 1994, by section 96(1) of the Energy Companies Act 1992 (1992 No 56).
Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 26 October 1993, by section 79(2) of the Energy Companies Act 1992 (1992 No 56).

Schedule 1 Part 2: amended, on 1 October 1993, by section 95(2) of the Energy Companies Act 1992 (1992 No 56).
49 Schedule 2 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Schedule 2 Local authorities (additional to those named in Schedule 1) to which Part 7 applies Schedule 2: substituted, on 1 October 1991, by section 7(1) of the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).
s 2 Part 1 Classes of local authorities Boards constituted under subpart 5 of Part 3 of the Education and Training Act 2020 Conservation boards Councils of institutions established under subpart 3 of Part 4 of the Education and Training Act 2020 Fish and game councils Provincial Patriotic Councils Regional Co-ordinating Committees established under section 22 of the Noxious Plants Act 1978 Schedule 2 Part 1: amended, on 1 August 2020, by section 668 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (2020 No 38).
Schedule 2 Part 1: amended, on 1 April 2000, by section 7 of the Children’s Health Camps Board Dissolution Act 1999 (1999 No 141).

Schedule 2 Part 1: amended, on 1 July 1993, by section 32 of the Health Sector (Transfers) Act 1993 (1993 No 23).

Schedule 2 Part 1: amended, on 1 October 1991, by section 34(a) of the Education Amendment Act (No 4) 1991 (1991 No 136).
Part 2 Particular local authorities Game Animal Council National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology continued by section 314 of the Education and Training Act 2020 and its subsidiaries The New Zealand Conservation Authority The New Zealand Fish and Game Council Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on 25 September 2020, by clause 4(2) of the Education (Name Change for NZIST) Order 2020 (LI 2020/260).
Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on 1 August 2020, by section 668 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (2020 No 38).

50 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Schedule 2 Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on 1 April 2020, by section 78(1) of the Education (Vocational Educa‐ tion and Training Reform) Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 1).

Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on 28 November 2013, by section 41(2) of the Game Animal Council Act 2013 (2013 No 98).
Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on 1 January 2000, by section 196(2) of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (1999 No 142).

51 Schedule 2A Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Schedule 2A Resolution to exclude the public Schedule 2A: inserted, on 1 October 1991, by section 8 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54).
s 48(3), (4), (5), (6) Section 48, Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 I move that the public be excluded from— *(a) the whole of the proceedings of this meeting; or *(b) the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting, namely,— [state agenda items] The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows: General subject of each matter to be considered — — — — Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter — — — — Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution — — — — *This resolution is made in reliance on section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act or section 6 or section 7 or section 9 of the Official Information Act 1982, as the case may require, which would be preju‐ diced by the holding of the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings of the meet‐ ing in public are as follows: [give particulars] *I also move that [name of person or persons] be permitted to remain at this meeting, after the public has been excluded, because of their knowledge of [specify].
This knowledge, which will be of assistance in relation to the matter to be discussed, is relevant to that matter because [specify].

*Delete if inapplicable.
Note Section 48(4) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 provides as follows: “(4) Every resolution to exclude the public shall be put at a time when the meeting is open to the public, and the text of that resolution (or copies thereof)— 52 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Schedule 2A (a) (b) shall be available to any member of the public who is present; and shall form part of the minutes of the local authority.” 53 Schedule 3 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Schedule 3 Enactments amended s 57 Canterbury Museum Trust Board Act 1983 (1983 No 13 (L)) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
Electric Power Boards Act 1925 (1925 No 38) (Reprinted 1976, Vol 4, p 3465) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Official Information Act 1982 (1982 No 156) (RS Vol 21) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Ombudsmen Act 1975 (1975 No 9) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941 (1941 No 12) (RS Vol 17, p 607) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
54 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Schedule 4 Schedule 4 Enactments repealed s 58(1) Agricultural Pests Destruction Act 1967 (1967 No 147) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Agricultural Pests Destruction Amendment Act 1971 (1971 No 74) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Area Health Boards Act 1983 (1983 No 134) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
Auckland Aotea Centre Empowering Act 1985 (1985 No 9 (L)) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Auckland Electric Power Board Act 1978 (1978 No 11 (L)) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority Dissolution Act 1983 (1983 No 153) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Auckland Regional Authority Act 1963 (1963 No 18 (L)) (Reprinted 1970, Vol 3, p 1779) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
Christchurch Town Hall Board of Management Act 1976 (1976 No 2 (L)) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Dog Control and Hydatids Act 1982 (1982 No 42) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Education Amendment Act (No 2) 1974 (1974 No 136) (Reprinted 1975, Vol 3, p 1888) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Lakes District Waterways Authority (Shotover River) Empowering Act 1985 (1985 No 2 (L)) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
Local Government Act 1974 (1974 No 66) (RS Vol 5, p 77) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

55 Schedule 4 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Legislation Act 1963 (1963 No 138) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Local Legislation Act 1965 (1965 No 122) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Marlborough Forestry Corporation Act 1970 (1970 No 17 (L)) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
Massey University Amendment Act 1966 (1966 No 10) (RS Vol 14, p 476) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Milk Act 1967 (1967 No 53) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

National Parks Act 1980 (1980 No 66) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Noxious Plants Act 1978 (1978 No 15) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
Public Bodies Meetings Act 1962 (1962 No 113) (Reprinted 1975, Vol 3, p 2269) Public Bodies Meetings Amendment Act 1963 (1963 No 109) (Reprinted 1975, Vol 3, p 2280) Public Bodies Meetings Amendment Act 1974 (1974 No 113) (Reprinted 1975, Vol 3, p 2281) Public Bodies Meetings Amendment Act 1975 (1975 No 125) (Reprinted 1975, Vol 3, p 2281) Reserves Act 1977 (1977 No 66) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
University of Albany Act 1972 (1972 No 30) (RS Vol 14, p 777) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

University of Waikato Act 1963 (1963 No 8) (RS Vol 14, p 849) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Water and Soil Conservation Amendment Act 1971 (1971 No 24) (RS Vol 17, p 783) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
56 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Schedule 4 Water and Soil Conservation Amendment Act 1973 (1973 No 24) (RS Vol 17, p 877) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).

Wellington Regional Water Board Act 1972 (1972 No 3 (L)) Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s).
57 Schedule 5 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Schedule 5 Orders revoked s 58(2) Public Bodies Meetings Order 1971 (SR 1971/113) Public Bodies Meetings Order 1976 (SR 1976/94) Public Bodies Meetings Order 1979 (SR 1979/215) 58 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Schedule 6 Schedule 6 Transitional provisions for amendments made on or after commencement of Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2013 Schedule 6: inserted, on 4 September 2013, by section 7 of the Local Government Official Informa‐ tion and Meetings Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 65).
s 59 1 2 Interpretation In this schedule, amendment Act means the Local Government Official Infor‐ mation and Meetings Amendment Act 2013, which amends this Act.

Application of amendments to boards of inquiry and special tribunals The amendments made by the amendment Act apply to a board of inquiry appointed under section 149J of the Resource Management Act 1991, or to a special tribunal appointed under section 202 of that Act, whether appointed before or after the commencement of the amendments.
59 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Version as at 27 July 2023 Notes Notes 1 General This is a consolidation of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.

2 Legal status A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments.
This presump‐ tion applies unless the contrary is shown.

Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, pub‐ lished as an electronic version, is an official version.

A printed version of legis‐ lation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to con‐ solidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.
4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 41): Part 2 Statutes Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 75): Part 23 Te Ture mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki 2022/Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 (2022 No 14): wehenga 7/section 7 Water Services Act 2021 (2021 No 36): section 206(1) Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7): section 3 Education (Name Change for NZIST) Order 2020 (LI 2020/260): clause 4(2) Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (2020 No 47): section 161 Urban Development Act 2020 (2020 No 42): section 300 Education and Training Act 2020 (2020 No 38): section 668 Privacy Act 2020 (2020 No 31): section 217 Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 30): section 109 Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 1): section 78(1) Local Government Regulatory Systems Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 6): Part 5 Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016 (2016 No 50): section 24 Senior Courts Act 2016 (2016 No 48): section 183(b) Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 23) Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2014 (2014 No 55): section 78 Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014 (2014 No 52): section 165 60 Version as at 27 July 2023 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 Notes Building Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 100): section 77 Game Animal Council Act 2013 (2013 No 98): section 41(2) Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 65) Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 19): section 8 Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010 (2010 No 37): section 113(1) Criminal Disclosure Act 2008 (2008 No 38): section 37 Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 92): section 18 Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act 2006 (2006 No 84): section 127(5) Building Act 2004 (2004 No 72): section 414
 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 65) Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 82) Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (2003 No 48): section 175(1) Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84): sections 262, 266 Museum of Transport and Technology Act 2000 (2000 No 1 (P)): section 28(3) Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 (2000 No 1): section 49 Animal Welfare Act 1999 (1999 No 142): section 196 Children’s Health Camps Board Dissolution Act 1999 (1999 No 141): section 7 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 132) Marlborough Forestry Corporation Act Repeal Act 1996 (1996 No 2 (L)): section 11(2) National Parks Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 4): section 11 Chatham Islands Council Act 1995 (1995 No 41): section 33 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 37) Health Sector (Transfers) Act 1993 (1993 No 23): section 32 Defamation Act 1992 (1992 No 105): section 56(1) Energy Companies Act 1992 (1992 No 56): sections 79(2), 95(2), 96(1) Selwyn Plantation Board Empowering Act 1992 (1992 No 4 (L)): section 20(2) Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act (No 2) 1991 (1991 No 151) Education Amendment Act (No 4) 1991 (1991 No 136): section 34(a) Resource Management Act 1991 (1991 No 69): section 362 Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 54) Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Act (No 2) 1989 (1989 No 123) Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (1987 No 174): sections 2A(4), 46B(3), 47A(3), 51AA(3) Wellington, New Zealand: Published under the authority of the New Zealand Government—2023 61