Official Information Requests
If the information you are interested in is not available on this website or from our staff, then you can make an official information request.
You can request official information held by the Council, its Council Controlled Organisations and its Contractors. Helpful information on what official information is can be found on the Ombudsman’s website, along with this guide for requesters.
Requests for information are governed by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).
The Council aims to be transparent and accountable in its decision making. As such, we will endeavour to be as open as possible when providing responses to these requests. If you are not satisfied with our response, you are able to have our decisions reviewed by the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to LGOIMA requests.
How to make a request
When requesting information, you must include a contact option (e.g. email or phone number) and specific details of the information you want.
You can also ask to receive the information in a specific way. Let us know your preferred method when you make your request. The default response method if not specified will be by email.
Hard copy
Hard copies of your request can be given to us in the following ways:
- bring it to the Council Service Centre
- by post (or courier) to Upper Hutt City Council, Private Bag 907, Upper Hutt 5140
Timeframe
We will acknowledge your request within three business days. We will reach a decision on your information request as soon as possible but no later than 20 working days after receiving it.
We will also let you know as soon as possible if we need:
- to extend the deadline on your request
- more information in order to respond to your request
- to transfer your request as the information is held by another government organisation.
You can ask us to treat your request as urgent – if this is the case you must provide the reasoning for this when you make the request.
Cost
Generally, requests for information are free of charge.
However, there are times when we can charge for official information. If there is a good reason (e.g. substantial manual collation by officers is required) there is going to be an associated cost we will contact you before we move forward with the request. You will then be able to decide if you would like to proceed with, refine or withdraw your request.
View official information request fees and charges.
Withholding information
When responding to your request we may withhold or refuse to give you some information. The reasons for this are specified in sections 6, 7 and 17 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
If we withhold or refuse to give information, we will explain the reason why when responding to you.
Proactive release of responses to information requests
We publish responses to requests made under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) that are of wider public interest. This could include requests made by electoral candidates, city councillors, members of parliament, journalists, or any other requests that has high public interest. In most instances, the name of the individual requester will be redacted to protect their privacy.
View proactive releases
Get in touch
If you have further questions about our process, need clarification or want new or additional information, email OIA.Requests@uhcc.govt.nz.
Requests to see any personal information we hold about you can be made by sending an email to privacy@uhcc.govt.nz .
If you are not satisfied with our response, you are able to have our decisions reviewed by the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to LGOIMA requests or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in relation to personal information requests.