The Ombudsman is investigating a complaint from an environmental group regarding the "apparent withholding" of official information by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's office.
By Lillian Hanly of RNZ
It comes as the opposition drills into the issue at Parliament, and the Greens call for an urgent, independent inquiry.
The Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) wrote to the Ombudsman yesterday, after it sought information in March 2025 about meetings, discussions or conversations regarding a case between climate activist Mike Smith and big corporate emitters.
ELI said it received "only limited material" in response.
It comes after RNZ reported on Sunday that a previously undisclosed briefing document had been provided to the Prime Minister's office by Fonterra and Z Energy.
Luxon's office said it had no record of the document that came to light following a court order, but he has since reminded Ministerial Services of their obligations.
ELI complained to the Ombudsman, requesting the watchdog inquire into the "apparent withholding" of official information by PMO in relation to "lobbying and communications concerning the Government's response to Smith v Fonterra".
"These circumstances raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the integrity of official decision-making," ELI's research and legal director Matt Hall said.
The Ombudsman confirmed to RNZ it had received the complaint, and an investigation was underway.
"An investigator has been assigned to the case, and an investigation is now underway.
"The Ombudsman is required by law to conduct his enquiries in private, so we can't make any further comment at this stage."
The law change aims to prevent civil claims from linking companies’ emissions to climate-related damage. (Source: 1News)
Luxon also confirmed to Parliament this afternoon that the person in his office who had received the briefing note had "left a while ago".
"It's not in the public interest to identify specific members of staff, but I understand it was someone who left a while ago."
Chlöe Swarbrick, who called for a debate on the issue at Parliament, said Luxon was "attempting to shrug this off, as if there is nothing to see here".
Earlier that day, she'd said it was in the prime minister's interest for there to be an urgent, independent inquiry.
"If his hands are clear, then he should show us that his hands are clear, and he should have that independently verified."
She said it was concerning the prime minister was normalising "as business as usual" secret meetings between his officials and corporate lobbyists, who have successfully had the law changed in their favour.
Swarbrick said, "allegations of corruption for this government are pretty evident".
"It's therefore incumbent on the Government to show us all why we should trust them."
She raised the lack of transparency as an issue, and "active coverups, or some really weird stuff" that's going on with record keeping.
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