Ombudsman Act 1973

The following persons may make a complaint to the Ombudsman about an administrative action taken by or in an authority—

a person or body of persons affected by the administrative action (an aggrieved person); or

a member of Parliament acting on behalf of an aggrieved person; or

a member of the First Peoples' Assembly acting on behalf of an aggrieved person; or

if an aggrieved person has died, a person who the Ombudsman considers is suitable to represent the deceased person; or

if the Ombudsman considers that an aggrieved person is unable to act for themselves, a person who the Ombudsman considers is suitable to represent the aggrieved person; or

any other person if, having regard to all the circumstances, the Ombudsman considers it is appropriate to deal with the complaint.

For the purposes of subsection (1), administrative action taken by or in an authority includes administrative action that is taken by a person or body (other than an authority or an exempt person or body)—

on behalf of an authority; or

under a power or function that is conferred on the person or body by an authority; or

as a result of instructions given by an authority.

If a complaint to the Ombudsman is not made in writing, the Ombudsman may require the complainant to provide a written statement in the form (if any) specified by the Ombudsman—

confirming that the complainant wants the Ombudsman to consider the complaint; and

specifying the details of the complaint.

The Ombudsman may deal with a complaint even if, on the face of it, the complaint does not refer to an administrative action taken by or in an authority if the Ombudsman considers there is a likelihood that the cause for complaint arose from such an action.