We live in the age of information. People and organisations are creating, storing and sharing information like never before.
We're progressing reforms to New Zealand’s privacy laws to protect people’s personal information, and help ensure businesses and organisations that hold such data safeguard and handle it appropriately.
The reform proposals include stronger powers for the Privacy Commissioner, mandatory reporting of privacy breaches, new offences and increased fines.
In particular, the reforms aim to encourage private and public sector agencies to identify risks and prevent incidents that could cause harm.
Later this year, we expect to consult privacy experts about an exposure draft of a new Privacy Bill. This will help make sure the draft Bill is clear and user-friendly. The targeted consultation will also be an opportunity to identify any improvements to the Bill’s wording that could help make sure the proposals work as intended.
Following that consultation, the Minister of Justice intends to introduce the Bill into Parliament.
Read Justice Minister Amy Adams’ April 2016 address to the Wellington Privacy Forum (external link)
This page was last updated: