One of the two permanent Ombudsmen, Ron Paterson, has resigned, three years into his five year term.
Ron Paterson. Photo: Supplied
His resignation takes effect on 30 June.
The Chief Ombudsman, Judge Peter Boshier, has requested that his deputy, Leo Donnelly, be appointed as a temporary Ombudsman for 12 months.
The parliamentary report, which endorses the request, said Judge Boshier was keen for the Office to clear the huge backlog of investigations, so having someone with Mr Donnelly's experience to work on these cases would be helpful.
When asked why he had resigned, Mr Paterson said only that he was keen to return to his role as a professor of law at Auckland University and resume his work in the health sector.
