Access to information is covered by the Official Information Act 1982. The law primarily is designed to increase the availability of information in order to promote good government and to protect sensitive official information where it is in the public interest to do so. Unless there is good reason to withhold information it must be made available to the public.
There is a specific set of procedures and timelines that must be followed when a public organisation receives a request under the Act. If a request cannot be fulfilled within the required time (20 days) the organisation must tell the person making the request and provide a reason why the information cannot be provided in the specified timeframe.
In 1987 the Government extended the Act to cover local body authorities including city councils, regional councils and district councils. This extension is the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
Further information regarding the Official Information Act may be found at the following websites:
Public Access to Legislation Project
Ministry of Justice: Official Information Act
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