Official Information Requests
Making a request for information
The best way to make a request for official information is through our online form.
Requests can also be made by post or email. Requests should include:
- Your name
- Your postal or email address
- Specific details of the information required
- Preferred method of receiving information, for example, a discussion in person or an electronic copy.
Requests to Council for information
Most of the information you may seek is readily available from our staff. Just ask and, if possible, we will help you obtain this information.
If you need a lot of information, or the information you require is not readily available, we will work with you on applying for it.
The two types of official information requests are:
- Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act Requests (LGOIMA): These requests are governed by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. Under this act, everything we do is public information, and our books have to be open and freely available. If you are not happy with the information provided under the LGOIMA, you can complain to the Office of the Ombudsman.
- Privacy requests: These requests are governed by the Privacy Act 1993 and means that you have the right to request, view and correct any information we hold about you. If you are not happy with the outcome of your request, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Once a request is made, Council must supply the information unless there is a reason for withholding it.
Withholding information
We may withhold information for specific reasons. If so, we will explain the reason why.
For more information, please refer to sections 6 and 7 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.
Who can request information
Any individual, group or organisation can request information held by the council either about:
- Themselves, under Section 33 of the Privacy Act 1993, or
- Aspects of the council's activities under Section 10 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).
- Requests for official information may be written or verbal. The request for information should be as specific as possible - Council may seek clarification to help determine if there is a reason for withholding the requested information.
How long will it take
Council must answer requests for information within 20 working days. If Council needs extra time to source and provide the requested information, the applicant must be advised in writing that an extension of time is required, the reason for this and the estimated period of the extension.
If the information requested is extensive, Council may charge for time spent processing the request, under guidelines set down by the Ministry of Justice.
Is there a charge for LGOIMA requests?
There is no charge for the first hour.
A fee of $38 per half hour or part thereof (as per Ministry of Justice guidelines) could be charged for LGOIMA requests that are estimated to take longer than 1 hour to action. The charge must be paid before the information is released.
Publication of past official information responses
Rotorua Lakes Council regularly publishes LGOIMA responses which may be of interest to the general public on its website. When publishing these responses the names of individual requestors will be withheld to protect their privacy.
