Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published an updated version of the International Development and Engagement Strategy that guides his international work from January 2024 until June 2026.
Building from the first strategy that originally ran from July 2020 until December 2023, the updated strategy’s goal is centred in ensuring that New Zealand will contribute to regional stability as well as support integrity institutions.
According to the ombudsman, the updated strategy aims to achieve the goal through activities surrounding delivering advice, support, and learning as well as leading and supporting international networks and learning from international connections and feeding them back into its work as part of a continuous improvement programme.
Such activities are intended to contribute to the improved capability of Indo-Pacific and Pacific Ombudsman along with integrity institutions, the strengthened integrity of international Ombudsmanship, and the New Zealand Ombudsman reflecting the international best practice accordingly based on gathered information from international connections.
“The Ombudsman’s international work contributes to New Zealand’s interests in a rules-based international system, regional stability, and the promotion and safeguarding of democratic values and norms,” the ombudsman said in its statement.
“The work draws on the New Zealand Ombudsman’s mana and history as the longest standing Ombudsman institution outside Scandinavia, and on the office’s reputation as an exemplar of international best practice. It also builds on the office’s history as a reputable provider of learning, advice and guidance for overseas Ombudsmen spanning multiple decades,” the statement said.
The updated strategy was issued on 18 Dec 2024. The first strategy, which was first issued on 9 Jun 2021, was based on foundational documentation, past international engagements, desk-based research, internal ombudsman and international development expertise, and scoping with ombudsmen and their staff from various countries in the Pacific and Asia.
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