ioi | President provides address at the Parliament of New Zealand on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman of New Zealand

Chris Field, President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and Western Australian Ombudsman, provided an address at a ceremony held on the occasion of the 60^th Anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman of New Zealand.

“It was a great honour to join the Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for the Public Service and the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand, Peter Boshier, in addressing a very special event held at the Parliament of New Zealand to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Ombudsman of New Zealand. Since 1962, the Ombudsman of New Zealand has been a leader in ensuring that dealings between the State and citizens are universally and unwaveringly fair and dignified. The Ombudsman of New Zealand is one of the oldest, and now largest and most respected, Ombudsman offices in the world” said President Field.

“Beyond this, the Ombudsman of New Zealand has had a longstanding leadership role in the international community. This can be exemplified by the fact that New Zealand Ombudsmen have held the office of President three times in the International Ombudsman Institute’s (IOI) 44-year history, more than any other country. Two of these Presidents, Dame Beverley Wakem and Sir Brian Elwood attended the commemoration.

This tradition of exceptional service has been carried on by Chief Ombudsman Boshier, and Second Vice President of the IOI, who has made enormously valued contributions to our region, to the global community and to the institution of the Ombudsman itself. I thank him for his conspicuous achievements. I also express my congratulations and appreciation to the Deputy Ombudsman and staff team of the Ombudsman of New Zealand for their work to ensure the major event was such a great success” said President Field.