John McLean: Blobudsman shows his true colours

New Zealand’s Chief Ombudsman unlawfully sides with the forces of opaqueness and censorship

On 17 November 2025, Sean Plunket, Founder and CEO of media channel The Platform, complained to New Zealand’s Chief Ombudsman, John Allen.

Plunket’s asked Allen to “urgently investigate and review” the Broadcasting Standards Authority’s refusal to provide Plunket with all correspondence and documentation relating to the BSA’s “Provisional Interlocutory Decision” that the BSA has jurisdiction to consider complaints against The Platform. Plunket had formally requested that information from the BSA, under the Official Information Act 1982. Here’s Plunket’s request to the Ombudsman:

Sandra Goudie: Complaint to the Chief Ombudsman

To the Chief Ombudsman: Complaint regarding the Attorney General and the Minister for the Environment.

An OIA request asking for a copy of the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi has been rejected by both of the above entities.

The same person has dual roles in regard to being both the Attorney General and the Minister.

The inability to provide the information has huge justice issues for the people of New Zealand being subject to law which embodies phrases requiring that ‘must give effect to the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.’

Cam Slater: Bet You We Never Hear an Apology

The Government has copped another flogging over their cruel MIQ lottery system: this time from the Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier. You may remember earlier that Grounded Kiwis won a substantial case against the Government over the same system.