Public interest will be the deciding factor on whether the Hawke's Bay Regional Council can refuse to release official information, the Ombudsman says.
The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent authority which "helps the community in its dealings with government agencies". That sometimes includes reviewing requests for official information.
It has been asked to review the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's recent refusal to release information requested by Hawke's Bay Today under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.
When asked to comment on the matter yesterday, Ombudsman Leo Donnelly said it appeared the request would be covered by the act, as any information communicated by a councillor acting in their official capacity is official information under this act.
Mr Donnelly has current Ombudsman responsibility for complaints concerning the council.