Ombudsman
Powles family : Papers
Date: 1855-1994
By: Powles family
Reference: MS-Group-0480
Description: Includes material relating to Sir Guy Powles's education, military career, activities with Island Territories Dept (Samoa) as High Commissioner, with Foreign Affairs, as New Zealand's first Ombudsman, and his involvement in the peace and anti nuclear movement. Also includes material relating to Sir Guy's father, Sir Charles Powles, who saw service in the South African War and World War I, and some material relating to his grandfather, Charles Plummer Powles Relationship complexity - Oral history material relating to Sir Guy Powles has been received separately by the Library. This material comprises extensive interviews with Sir Guy and Lady Eileen Powles by Patricia Sarr (donated in 1986), and 1979 Radio New Zealand interviews by Dr Michael King and Dame Fiona Kidman. Quantity: 6 box(es). 3 folder(s). 2 volume(s). 2.05 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Sir Guy Powles, 1979 (79-140) and Mr M Powles, 1996 (A96-208) and 1997 (A97-057), 2009 (A2009-109) Transfers: Collection taken into the Manuscripts Section, transfers made from there. - To Photographic Archive - Two boxes of photographs including family portraits and snapshots; photos from Sir Guy Powles term of office in Western Samoa and as diplomat in India, Ceylon and Nepal, includes published photo album of the presentation of New Zealand sheep to the Indian people (ca 1962); and Charles Powles military career, including Egypt in WWI and NZ in WWII. Further two boxes of photographs including slides and albums as High Commissioner, Western Samoa (97-057) - To Film & Television Archive, thirteen reels of 12mm film - To Drawings & Prints Collection - Collection of military insignia, buttons and badges, Freemason medals, and St John Ambulance insignia; KBE insignia and other awards - To Oral History Collection - Tapes of oral history undertaken by Turnbull Library.
Interview with Stuart Aikman
Date: 8 December 1997
From: Office of the Ombudsman oral history project
By: Aikman, Stuart, active 1963-1997
Reference: OHInt-0811-01
Description: Oral history interview with Stuart Aikman, former Senior Investigating Officer of the Office of the Ombudsman. Discusses his work as British Colonial Officer in East Africa. Details the structure of the Office from 1963 to 1983. Discusses the role of an Investigating Officer. Talks about the education initiatives employed to better inform the public on the role of the Office - discusses different attempts to publicise the Office. Talks about the various pressures of the workplace. Comments on the different personalities of the successive Ombudsmen. Discusses the development of the Official Information Act 1982 - talks about the responsibilities the Office acquired as part of the Act. Talks about the Office's relations with the New Zealand Police during his time there - details the Office's jurisdiction over the Police. Discusses the Office's interaction with the Public Service - refers to personal contact with ministers and CEOs. Mentions Sir Guy Powles and Sir George Laking. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Bryan Gilling Accompanying material - Interview questions Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014907 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 0.13 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5394. Search dates: 1997
Interview with Sir John Robertson
Date: 29 September 1997
From: Office of the Ombudsman oral history project
By: Robertson, John (Sir), 1926-2001
Reference: OHInt-0811-05
Description: Oral history interview with Sir John Robertson, Chief Ombudsman from December 1986 to December 1994. Details work background prior to appointment as Ombudsman - talks about Ombudsman appointment process. Discusses the importance of the Ombudsman's role. Details the operations of the Office of the Ombudsman - talks about confilct with government departments. Mentions the changing managerial environment - details changes to the types of public service and ministerial responsibility and accountability. Refers to the creation of the Officers of Parliament Committee. Discusses the Official Information Act 1982 and its impact on the role of the Ombudsman. Details working relationship between Ombudsmen - mentions the non-reappointment of Nadja Tollemache. Refers to complaints resulting from local government reforms. Gives examples of interesting cases received by the Office during his time there. Discusses the future of the Ombudsman role in New Zealand. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Bryan Gilling Accompanying material - Interview questions; biographical information relating to Sir John Robertson. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014911, OHC-014912 Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.18 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5398. Search dates: 1997
Interview with Anand Satyanand
Date: 12 November 1997
From: Office of the Ombudsman oral history project
By: Satyanand, Anand (Rt Hon Sir), 1944-
Reference: OHInt-0811-06
Description: Oral history interview with Anand Satyanand, Ombudsman from February 1995 to February 2005. Details work background as lawyer and judge prior to appointment as Ombudsman. Compares the processing of cases under the Official Information Act 1982 to the previous Ombudsman Acts - details different departments responses to the Officical Information Act. Talks about conflict the Office of the Ombudsman encountered in the early 1980s - details criticism the Office received from certain departments. Describes the Case Management System and its effect on the Office's operations. Details his involvement with the International Ombudsman Institute. Talks about the Office's interaction with State Owned Enterprises - refers to the State Owned Enterprises Act 1986 and the Companies Act 1993. Discusses the involvement of the Ombudsman in New Zealand life. Discusses the importance of the Ombudsman role - comments on the future of the role in New Zealand. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Bryan Gilling Accompanying material - Interview questions Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014913 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.28 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5399. Search dates: 1997
Interview with Sir Brian Elwood
Date: 30 September 1997
From: Office of the Ombudsman oral history project
By: Elwood, Brian George Conway (Sir), 1933-
Reference: OHInt-0811-02
Description: Oral history interview with Sir Brian Elwood, Chief Ombudsman from November 1994 to June 2003. Talks about his work as a lawyer and Mayor - explains the relationship between the Ombudsman and the courts. Discusses the changng direction of the New Zealand Ombudsman position - details the Ombudsman's commitments to the government and the New Zealand public. Talks about the organisation of the Office of the Ombudsman. Discusses the Office's intervention with the Department of Social Welfare. Refers to the Officers of Parliament Committee. Refers to Nadja Tollemache's non-reappointment and its ramifications on the Ombudsman position - mentions Sir John Robertson. Talks about his involvement with the International Ombudsman Institute. Discusses the importance of the role of Ombudsman - talks about the development of communication channels across government and public sectors. Comments on the future of the role of Ombudsman in New Zealand. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Bryan Gilling Accompanying material - Interview questions Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014908 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.20 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5395. Search dates: 1997
Interview with Sir George Laking
Date: 12 December 1997
From: Office of the Ombudsman oral history project
By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008
Reference: OHInt-0811-03
Description: Oral history interview with Sir George Laking, Chief Ombudsman from April 1977 to October 1984. Talks about growing up in Auckland - details schooling at Auckland Grammar School, Auckland University and Victoria University of Wellington. Discusses his acceptance into the Public Service - talks about his work for the Customs Department, Prime Minister's Department, Organisation of National Security, War Cabinet Secretariat, and the Department of External Affairs upon its creation in 1943. Discusses his international work in the government sector from 1948 to 1967 - details his time as Counsellor of External Affairs, Acting High Commissioner in London, and Ambassador to Washington. Talks about his role as Secretary of External Affairs upon returning to New Zealand. Discusses his appointment as Ombudsman in 1975, and Chief Ombudsman in 1977. Discusses attitudes towards the Office of the Ombudsman - mentions Sir Guy Powels and A. Eaton Hurley. Discusses relations between the Office and the Prime Minister, Ministers and Heads of Departments during his time as Ombudsman - mentions Keith Holyoake, Sir Robert Muldoon, Jim Bolger and the New Zealand Police. Talks about his involvement in the Office's investigation of the Springbok Tour - refers to the creation of the Police Complaints Authority. Talks about the Office's acquisition of the Wanganui Computer privacy work in 1977. Details his involvement with the Human Rights Commission. Mentions Chief Ombudsman Lester Castle. Discusses the development of the Official Information Act 1982 - details his involvement in this process. Talks about the Commissioner of Police vs Ombusman case of 1988 - details the court proceedings. Discusses his management of the Office during his time as Chief Ombudsman. Accompanying material - Copy of transcribed interview Interviewer(s) - Bryan Gilling Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.13 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5396. Search dates: 1997
Interview with Susan Richards
Date: 4 December 1997
From: Office of the Ombudsman oral history project
By: Richards, Susan Elizabeth, active 1970-1997
Reference: OHInt-0811-04
Description: Oral history interview with Susan Richards, Assistant Ombudsman of the Office of the Ombudsman from 1983 to 1996. Details her work background. Talks about her work in the Office as Investigating Officer prior to her appointment as Assistant Ombudsman in 1983. Discusses the concept of participatory democracy - comments on the increasing complexity of the relationship between government and the public. Talks about the introduction of the Official Information Act 1982 - mentions Sir George Laking. Comments on the changing political and societal environment the successive Ombudsman had to work with. Explains how the Office was financed. Details the structure and location of the Office - discusses the changes in management style during her time there. Refers to Nadja Tollemach's non-reappointment, Discusses the purpose of the Ombudsman role. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Bryan Gilling Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014910 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.13 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Search dates: 1997
Papers - includes Annual report of the parish of St Paul's, Thorndon, 1865-1923
Date: 1855-1986
From: Powles family : Papers
Reference: 96-208-3
Description: Includes: annual reports of the Parish of St Paul's, Thorndon, 1862-1923; shipboard diary of C P Powles aboard the `Southern Cross' from Southhampton to Auckland, 1862-1863; pocket diary of C P Powles, 1855; autograph book of C P Powles; Samoan women's committee histories, 1956; scrapbook, mainly of clippings on antarctic exploration by Shackleton and Scott; Masonic texts and papers; school reports of Guy Powles; papers relating to freedom of information and anti-nuclear movement; and other miscellaneous material Quantity: 1 box(es). Physical Description: Holograph, mss, typescript (some carbon copies) and printed matter
Interview with Sir Guy Powles
Date: 06 Dec 1979 (broadcast)
From: Radio New Zealand Looking Back programmes
By: Powles, Guy Richardson (Sir), 1905-1994; King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004
Reference: OHInt-0040/13
Description: Guy Powles, New Zealand's first ombudsman, discusses his life, including joining the diplomatic service and working with Sir Carl Berendson, New Zealand's ambassador to the United States and then the United Nations. Interviewer(s) - Michael King Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000337 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 47 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1979
Interview with George Laking
Date: 22 and 29 Nov 1979 (broadcast)
From: Radio New Zealand Looking Back programmes
By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008; Ovenden, Keith William, 1943-2023
Reference: OHInt-0040/07
Description: George Laking, the Chief Ombudsman, talks of his early years in the Prime Minister's Department and describes such personalities as Alister McIntosh, Secretary of External Affairs from 1943 to 1966, and Carl Berendsen, permanent head of the Prime Minister's Department from 1932 to 1943 and ambassador to the United States from 1944 to 1948. Describes his role as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and permanent head of the Prime Minister's Department, positions he held from 1967 to 1972. Interviewer(s) - Keith Ovenden Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000331 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1.08 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1979
Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008 : Papers
Date: [ca 1943-2000]
By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008
Reference: MS-Group-0640
Description: Contains Laking's papers relating to his work for the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Ombudsman, Human Rights Commission and other committees. Edited transcripts of two interviews of Sir George by Dr Roberto Rabel relating to New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War. Also transcripts of interviews by Bruce Brown. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 13 box(es) (165 issuable items). 15 folder(s). 3 volume(s). 4.60 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescript and printed matter Finding Aids: Preliminary list available. Transfers: Photograph albums and prints are at ATL-Group-00440. Processing information: Access restrictions removed 7 September 2022.
George Laking sound recordings
Date: 1960-1995
By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008
Reference: OHColl-0497
Description: Recordings about George Laking's work for the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Ombudsman and as New Zealand Ambassador in the United States. Includes copies of an interview by Bruce Brown re the history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Information about each recording is provided in the record for the tape or reel. Quantity: 2 5" reel(s). 5 7" reel(s). 7 C60 cassette(s). 1 C30 cassette(s). 1 film. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - A2000-217. Search dates: 1960 - 1995 Processing information: Some recordings not yet described
Fletcher, David 1952- :"It's been said that our laws make it too easy for people to ste...
Date: 2012
From: Fletcher, David, 1952- :Digital cartoons
By: Dominion post (Newspaper)
Reference: DCDL-0022716
Description: 'The Politician' cartoon strip. A man sits at a desk with a piece of paper and says that an ombudsman has reported that laws in New Zealand make identity theft too easy. Another man wonders if the ombudsman's identity can be trusted. Context: Former ombudsman Mel Smith uncovered severe deficiencies in the law that give criminals "a simple means for identity theft" by making it easy to change their names. (Stuff.co.nz 27 August 2012) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Smith, Ashley W., 1948- :Crown Law, $100,000, ombudsman, govt. MG business - mercantile...
Date: 2003
From: Smith, Ashley W, 1948- :[Digital cartoons published in the Shipping Gazette, MG Business, or Presto]
By: Smith, Ashley W, 1948-; MG business - mercantile gazette (Periodical)
Reference: DX-023-103
Description: Shows Stephen Franks throwing a bucket of water over a flailing person which has arms and legs flying in all directions. The body represents the government with one arm labelled 'Crown Law', the other arm labelled $100,000 and the hat the 'ombudsman'. Refers to John Belgrave, the ombudsman designate, and the Crown Law Office which sued the Office of the Ombudsman over the release of addresses of tenants by the Ministry of Social Development to the Department for Courts so that tenancy judgement orders could be enforced. Quantity: 1 digital image(s).
Webb, Murray 1947-:Sir John Robertson (circa 1997-1999).
Date: 1997 - 1999
From: Webb, Murray, 1947- :Digital caricatures
Reference: DX-001-278
Description: Caricature of Sir John Robertson, former Chief Ombudsman. Quantity: 1 digital image(s) ..
Mel Smith, Ombudsman. 15 June, 2007.
Date: 2007
From: Webb, Murray, 1947- :Digital caricatures
Reference: DCDL-0003439
Description: Caricature of Mel Smith, Ombudsman from 2001 to 2005. Re-appointed additional Ombudsman for six months in 2007. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Ombudsman's report. 13 December, 2007
Date: 2007
From: Hawkey, Allan Charles, 1941- :[Digital cartoons published in the Waikato Times].
Reference: DCDL-0003709
Description: Jim Anderton, leader of the Progressive Party flies a small plane over a huge volume which is the 'Ombudsman's report' about the effects of aerial spraying'. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).