Chief Ombudsman explains how he'll handle OIA probe of PM's office

12:44 pm today

Chief Ombudsman John Allen

Photo: Supplied

The Chief Ombudsman has confirmed the focus of his investigation following a complaint about the way the Prime Minister's office handled an Official Information Act request.

RNZ had reported a complaint was being investigated regarding the "apparent withholding" of official information, following the revelation of a previously undisclosed document handed to a senior staffer that should have been captured by the request.

The Green Party has also called for a wider investigation into the use of private email in the Prime Minister's office, following revelations the document had also been sent to the staffer's personal account.

Chief Ombudsman John Allen said he did not have jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the administrative actions of the Prime Minister or his office under the Ombudsmen Act.

"I will consider under the OIA how and where official information is held within the Prime Minister's Office, and what searches were undertaken to make sure its response to the original request complied with the legislation."

Inquiries are required by law to be confidential, "so I am unable to comment in any more detail."

"I am conducting this investigation with urgency given the significant public interest and I expect to publish my findings and any recommendations once the investigation is completed."

Allen added that if any issues emerged outside his mandate he'd consider passing them on to appropriate authorities.

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