THE NEW ZEALAND OMBUDSMAN

Abstract

On September 7 th, 1962 the New Zealand government enacted the Parliamentary Commissioner (Ombudsman) Act 1962. The author examines some of the Act’s main features, and compares them with the proposals and recommendations of The Citizen and the Administration Report. The author then briefly examines whether or not one feature in particular, the appointment of an Ombudsman, will be an effective to deal with the problem of reconciling the liberties of the private citizen and the demands of the modern state. In this connection, he also examines the duties and work of the current Ombudsman. Based on his examination, the author concludes his article by arguing that the Ombudsman plays an important part in New Zealand’s system of parliamentary government.