Peter Boshier. Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas
The chief ombudsman for the first time will investigate how council-controlled organisations (CCOs) handle official information.
Peter Boshier says Wellington Water and Auckland Transport "huge impact on people's daily lives" and it was "really important for residents to have open and transparent access to information about the decisions that affect them".
There was no suggestion either had done anything to prompt the "self-initiated" investigations, Boshier saying the probes were "part of a regular programme of looking at Local government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) practice and compliance at local authorities".
Wellington City Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council and Marlborough District Council would also be looked at.
"I have completed proactive investigations into the official information practices of 18 councils since I began this work in 2018," Boshier said on Thursday.
"As with all of my investigations, I will be looking for examples of good practice and areas that can be improved, including whether the leadership of each organisation has established a culture of openness, and whether staff responsible for responding to official information requests have been given the right training and guidance.
"I will also look at their meeting practices including any informal meetings and workshops where I feel they are relevant."
Boshier said CCOs had "the same freedom of information obligations as any other local body".
Staff would be surveyed, as would anyone from the public who had requested information from any of the CCOs or councils, attended a public meeting or workshop, or simply had views on "their commitment to openness and transparency".
Surveys would be open until 29 November - here for Marlborough District Council, Wellington City Council, Wellington Water and Queenstown Lakes District Council, and here for Auckland Transport.