New Zealand Legislation: Acts

19 Reason for refusal to be given

• Where a request made in accordance with section 12 is refused, the department or Minister of the Crown or organisation, shall,—

  • (a) subject to section 10, give to the applicant—

    • (i) the reason for its refusal; and

    • (ii) if the applicant so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7 or section 9 and (in the case of the interests protected by section 9) there is no countervailing public interest; and

  • (b) give to the applicant information concerning the applicant's right, by way of complaint under section 28(3) to an Ombudsman, to seek an investigation and review of the refusal.

  Section 19(a)(ii): amended, on 1 April 1987, by section 4(2) of the Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8).

  Section 19(b): amended, on 1 April 1987, by section 16(2) of the Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8).