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We might not be able to act on your complaint, or we may not be the best agency to resolve it because we can only investigate the privacy aspects of your issue, where the issue involves broader issues, for example an employment dispute.
If your complaint includes non-privacy issues or is about an agency that participates in a dispute resolution scheme, we might consider your complaint is better addressed by that scheme.
Debt Disputes
If your complaint is that a creditor has transferred a debt you dispute owing to a debt collection agency, you should dispute that debt in the Disputes Tribunal. Our Office cannot determine whether a debt is due or owing.
Government agency actions including official information requests
The Ombudsman handles complaints and investigates the administrative conduct of state sector agencies, including in relation to official information requests.
Health services
If you have concerns about a health or disability service you can raise those with the Health and Disability Commissioner
Employment issues
If your employer has not responded to a request for a copy of your employment agreement or your wage and time records, contact the Labour Inspectorate.
If you are concerned your employer has treated you unfairly or you have been unjustifiably dismissed, you should seek legal advice on whether you could file a personal grievance. If you have already done so, you should address your concerns through that process – it is unlikely we would investigate.
ACC
If you are complaining about a decision ACC made regarding a claim or entitlement you are able to apply for a free review of that decision by an independent entity. Please note that our Office has no jurisdiction to review the substance of a decision made by ACC.
Advertising and unsolicited marketing
You can complain about your image being used in billboards, direct marketing, magazines, newspapers, online, radio or television to the Advertising Standards Authority.
We typically don’t investigate complaints about receiving unsolicited marketing. However, you can sign up for the Marketing Association’s Do not call/Do not mail list.
If your complaint is about spam emails, contact the Department of Internal Affairs.
Builders
Building Performance, a part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment can assist with issues related to the building sector.
Banks or financial services
Banks and financial service providers are required to be members of an independent dispute resolution scheme. You can check which scheme your bank or provider belongs to here.
The schemes are:
Financial Dispute Resolution Service
Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme Inc
Financial Services Complaints Ltd
Drones
It is unlikely we can investigate a complaint about a drone. If you have a safety concern about a drone flying over your property, contact the Civil Aviation Authority.
Tenancy issues
If you are concerned about your landlord’s actions, particularly if they are about inspections or entering your property it is unlikely we could assist. You should contact Tenancy Services.
Lawyers
Media
The Privacy Act does not apply to the news media.
If you are concerned about a breach of privacy by the media, you should contact:
Magazines, newspapers/online - New Zealand Media Council
Radio or Television - Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Online bullying, abuse or scams
If you are complaining about an individual posting information about you online, it is unlikely we can investigate. However, it might raise issues under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, which is administered by Netsafe
Utilities
If you have a dispute with your telecommunications provider, for example relating to a billing issue, you can contact Telecommunications Dispute Resolution if they are a member of the service.
If you have a dispute with a power, gas or water company, you can contact: Utilities Disputes
Police
Complaints about Police conduct should be made to the Independent Police Complaints Authority IPCA
