Requests for University Official Information
If you are looking for information from the University of Otago that is not publicly available on our website or elsewhere, you can make an official information request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Who can make an OIA request
The following persons are eligible to make a request under the OIA:
- New Zealand citizens
- New Zealand permanent residents
- visitors to New Zealand
- body corporates registered or with a place of business in New Zealand
How to make an OIA request
To make a request, please email or write to us with specific details of the information you are looking for, along with your contact details.
Email oia@otago.ac.nz
Post
OIA Requests
Office of the Registrar
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin 9054
What to include in your request
When you contact us, we ask that you please include:
- your name
- contact details (email or post)
- details of the information you would like – this needs to be as clear and specific as you can make it. We may ask you for more details or to clarify your request.
How long your request will take
We will acknowledge that we have received your request. We are required under the OIA to give you our decision on your request as soon as possible, and no later than 20 working days after the date your request was received. “Working days” is defined in the OIA and excludes all public holidays and the period between Christmas and 15 January.
If your request is for a large amount of information or if it requires consultation, we may extend the time limit under section 15A of the OIA. If this happens, we will let you know and provide a date when you can expect our decision.
Costs for making a request
Requesting official information is free. However, we may propose a charge if the supply of information will take significant staff time to complete. If we determine that we need to propose a charge, we will be in touch to advise you of this.
Withholding information under the OIA
We are committed to making information available under the principles of the OIA unless there are good reasons to withhold it. We may only withhold information for specific reasons set out in the OIA. If this happens, we will let you know why.