"Where there is structured human society, there is bureaucracy. Bureaucrats exercise power, and the use by humans of power contains the seeds of unfairness, abuse and corruption. The office of Ombudsman was created in New Zealand in 1962 to allow "ordinary people" to have their grievances about official actions heard, and possible redress provided. in the subsequent 35 years, the Office of Ombudsmen has gained a respected place in New Zealand society and as a pioneer among such organisations world wide. Sitting alongside governmental organisation, it has, as necessary, reprimanded, cajoled, instructed, encouraged and assisted branches of executive government to remedy past mistakes, to correct present practices where necessary, and to improve the operation of government for the future. This book tells the story of the Office and the Ombudsmen, but it also places ombudsman work in its political and legal contexts, noting the roles individuals have played and outlining some of the tens of thousands of investigations they have conducted ..." -- Inside front cover.