Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about how we respond to Official Information requests, if there is any cost involved and why we might withhold information.
Please be as specific as you can be in making your request; it helps us to find the information quickly for you.
Make sure you include either a postal or email address so we can provide you with a response.
We will acknowledge your request as soon as we receive it. As required by legislation, we endeavour to supply the information as soon as possible and in no longer than 20 working days. However, if your request is complex, involves a large amount of research and collation, or requires us to consult with other parties, and we cannot provide you with the information within 20 days, we may extend the time limit. We will let you know if we need to do this.
If the information you want is held by another organisation covered by the Act, we may transfer your request to that agency. If we transfer your request, we will let you know within 10 working days of receiving your request.
Waitaki District Council seeks to operate openly and transparently. To support this the response to a request for information may also be released to the LGOIMA Responses section of the Council website. When publishing the requests we will withhold the names of individual requestors to protect their privacy.
You may ask that your request be treated as urgent. If you do, you must give reasons explaining the need for urgency.
We may withhold information for specific reasons. If we do, we will explain the reason why. The specific reasons enabling us to withhold information are set out in sections 6 and 7 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. The most common reasons to withhold information are to:
- Protect privacy of individuals
- Maintain legal privilege
- Enable the Council to carry on its commercial activities
Generally, there will be no charge for your request. Occasionally however, if a request is for a significant amount of information, or requires substantial collation and research, we may consider imposing a charge. Our fees are published on our website.