Making a request

Your request for official information should be as clear and specific as you can possibly make it. Before making a request please check with our Customer Contact Group by calling 0800 601 301 in case the information you seek is already available.

To make a request we recommend you email OIA@tec.govt.nz. Alternatively you can write to us at the address below.

Written enquiries should be sent to:

We would like:

1. your name
2. contact address (email or postal)
3. details of the information you want.

We may ask you for more details.

If you make your request by phone or in person, we will either confirm it in writing ourselves or, if we're not sure what you're seeking, we may ask if you'd mind putting it in writing.

The State Services Commission provide advice on tips for requesting official information and guidance on how agencies will respond to information requests.

How long will it take?

We will acknowledge your request and are required by law to give you our decision on your request as soon as possible, and no later than 20 working days after we receive your request.

If we need more time to make our decision on your request, for example if you are requesting a lot of information, we will let you know and give you an idea of how long it will take. You can complain to the Office of the Ombudsman if you're not happy with our decision to extend the time.

Here is further guidance from the State Services Commission on how agencies will respond to information requests.

What does it cost?

Requesting official information is free, though we can charge a reasonable amount if it will take a lot of work to supply the information requested. There's no charge for the first hour spent on your request or for the first 20 pages of photocopying.

Here is further guidance from the State Services Commission on how agencies will respond to information requests.

What if I'm not satisfied?

You may wish to contact us in the first instance to see if we can resolve the issue.

You can make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman if you:

• have concerns regarding the decision we made on your request
• were unhappy about the way your request was treated or processed.

These concerns can relate to the withholding of information, extending the timeframe to respond to you, any charges for providing the information you have requested, delays in providing you with a decision or the information, or your request being transferred.

The Office of the Ombudsman can investigate and review our decision and may make a recommendation to us if it is considered appropriate.

We now publish responses to Official Information Act (OIA) requests to make more information readily available to the public. 

Please note, the personal details of requesters have been removed. 

Documents are listed in release date order with the most recent responses at the top.