A8.35 Time limits

See also Official Information Act 1982 ss 15(1), 15A

1. Requests for information must be responded to as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 20 working days from the date the request is received.
2. If the person makes an urgent request for information, they must give reasons for requesting urgency and this must be taken into consideration when responding to the request.
3. The time limit may be extended once only in the following circumstances:
   1. the request is for a large quantity of official information; or
   2. the request requires a search through a large quantity of information; or
   3. meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with INZ operations; or
   4. extensive consultations are necessary to make a decision on the request.
4. If an extension of time is notified for one of the above reasons, the person requesting the information must be advised of the right to complain to an Ombudsman about the extension.

Effective 29/11/2010