Official information requests

Under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) any person may request information from the Council. Any request for information is a request made under LGOIMA. You do not have to say you are making a request under LGOIMA.

To make a request for information please:

• Email us at info@gw.govt.nz
• Write to us at Official Information Requests
  • Greater Wellington Regional Council
  • PO Box 11646
  • Wellington 6142

Once a request is made the Council must supply the information unless reason exists for withholding it. The LGOIMA says that information may be withheld if release of the information would:

• Endanger the safety of any person
• Prejudice maintenance of the law
• Compromise the privacy of any person
• Reveal confidential or commercially sensitive information
• Cause offence to tikanga Māori or would disclose the location of waahi tapu
• Prejudice public health or safety
• Compromise legal professional privilege
• Disadvantage the local authority while carrying out negotiations or commercial activities
• Allow information to be used for improper gain or advantage

The Council must respond to requests within 20 working days (although there are certain circumstances where this timeframe may be extended) and is allowed to charge for official information under guidelines set down by the Ministry of Justice.

Proactive Release of Information

Greater Wellington promotes good governance and encourages transparency in decision-making through increasing the availability of its information to the community. This includes making available responses to LGOIMA requests, information not subject to an information request but considered to be in the public interest, and reports considered in the Public Excluded sessions of Council and committee meetings. Find out more about Greater Wellington’s approach to the proactive release of information.