BackIn Dame Beverley Wakem’s last full year in office as Chief Ombudsman, the public has shown increasing confidence in seeking independent redress through the Office of the Ombudsman. In the 2014/15 year, the Office received the second highest amount of work ever, with 10% more work received than in the previous year. Despite this, the Office still completed 92% of complaints and other work within 6 months.
In the Office’s annual report tabled in Parliament, Chief Ombudsman Dame Beverley Wakem reported that the office received 12,151 complaints and other work in the 2014/2015 year.
“This volume of work is second only to the financial year following the Christchurch earthquake, where complaints and other work hit an all time high of 13,684.
“The increase in this reporting year was not prompted by a specific event. Instead it reflects the confidence the public have in the Office to assist them in seeking justice or accessing information that they have been unable to achieve themselves,” Dame Beverley says. (To read the full press release please click here)
Source: National Ombudsman, New Zealand
