Biometric technology
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner recently ran a consultation about the use of biometric technology in New Zealand. As … Keep reading “Biometric technology”
thomas@nzccl.org.nz
Chairperson’s Report 2022
It's been another year of the Exec Committee of the Council working well together. Keep reading “Chairperson’s Report 2022”
Wellington City Council shuts down protest march with fees
We are very disturbed to hear that the Wellington City Council has shutdown a planned political protest march by proposing … Keep reading “Wellington City Council shuts down protest march with fees”
The IPCA has had enough of being ignored
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has taken the opportunity to say that it needs substantially more powers to do its job of overseeing Police conduct. Keep reading “The IPCA has had enough of being ignored”
Media release: Last chance to fix the Data and Statistics Bill
With the overreaching Data and Statistics Bill going to the Committee of the Whole House this week, the NZ Council for Civil Liberties has written to MPs asking them to pass amendments to fix the worst aspects. Keep reading “Media release: Last chance to fix the Data and Statistics Bill”
Submission: Review of the Search and Surveillance Act
The government is in the early stages of reviewing the Search and Surveillance Act. Our submission suggest areas where it needs work, both to correct the mistakes of the past as well as to prepare for the future. A significant theme in our submission is the need for better oversight. Keep reading “Submission: Review of the Search and Surveillance Act”
The Ombudsman’s reply
Yesterday, the Council wrote to the Ombudsman, Peter Boshier, to complain about the decision made in his name to close our complaint against the former Minister for Covid-19 Response.
The Ombudsman has replied to the Council, apologising for the management of our complaint, re-opening the matter, and undertaking to conduct an investigation.
The text of the Ombudsman’s reply is below. Keep reading “The Ombudsman’s reply”
Failure to investigate an OIA complaint. Can complaints survive a reshuffle?
The Ombudsman sat on our OIA complaint for 7 months before dropping it because Chris Hipkins wasn't the Covid-19 Minister any more. Our response to the Ombudsman, asking him to reconsider and finally investigate the refusal. Keep reading “Failure to investigate an OIA complaint. Can complaints survive a reshuffle?”
Media release: Disappointment at Select Committee’s refusal to fix the Data and Statistics Bill
The deeply flawed Data and Statistics Bill has passed through the Governance and Administration Select Committee largely unchanged. The Committee has fallen in line with the advice of Stats NZ and ignored the significant concerns raised by, amongst others, the Ombudsman, a former Government Statistician, and the NZ Council for Civil Liberties. Keep reading “Media release: Disappointment at Select Committee’s refusal to fix the Data and Statistics Bill”
Media release: Privacy Commissioner joins Ombudsman and former Government Statistician in criticising the Data and Statistics Bill
The NZ Council for Civil Liberties is pleased that the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) has reacted to public pressure and made a late submission highlighting problems with the Data and Statistics Bill. In doing so, the Privacy Commissioner joins the Ombudsman, and the former Government Statistician Len Cook, in highlighting serious flaws in the Bill. NZCCL and Mr Cook have both called for the entire Bill to be withdrawn, and the Ombudsman has called for part 5 of the Bill to be scrapped. Keep reading “Media release: Privacy Commissioner joins Ombudsman and former Government Statistician in criticising the Data and Statistics Bill”
Submission (oral): Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People’s Commission Bill
As well as our written submission we also made an oral submission to the Select Committee. Here’s the edited version … Keep reading “Submission (oral): Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People’s Commission Bill”
Supplementary Submission: Data and Statistics Bill
Our oral submission asked some important questions including "Where is the Privacy Impact Assessment?" and "Why is Statistics talking about the NZ govt 'warming up the public gradually' to further data sharing?" . The Committee asked us to put these points in a supplementary written submission. Keep reading “Supplementary Submission: Data and Statistics Bill”
What’s wrong with the Data & Statistics Bill?
Why does Aotearoa New Zealand want to replace our Statistics Act with a new law that greatly extends the power of the Government Statistician to collect, aggregate, and share data, all the while reducing oversight and ignoring any possible downsides? Keep reading “What’s wrong with the Data & Statistics Bill?”
Guest post: Data & Statistics Bill should be withdrawn
Guest writer Stephen Judd argues that the new Data and Statistics Bill is a data "land grab", trading off New Zealander's privacy and safety in order to make life easier for officials and researchers Keep reading “Guest post: Data & Statistics Bill should be withdrawn”
Submission: Data & Statistics Bill
The Council opposes the Data and Statistics Bill, which gives more power to the state, and takes it from the public. The bill increases government collection, use and sharing amongst itself of information about us, while weakening our rights both to privacy and to access information held by government agencies. Keep reading “Submission: Data & Statistics Bill”
Submission: Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill
The Council's submission on the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill recommends changes to improve accountability and to protect accessibility. Keep reading “Submission: Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill”
Media release: Disgraceful government secrecy on vaccination certificates as legislation rushed through
On the eve of legislation to enable vaccination passes being rushed through Parliament under urgency, the Minister has said it … Keep reading “Media release: Disgraceful government secrecy on vaccination certificates as legislation rushed through”
The ethics of vaccine mandates
Philip Matthews has written a very good article in Stuff which discusses some of the ethical issues around vaccine mandates. … Keep reading “The ethics of vaccine mandates”
Grant of Honorary Life Membership
The awarding of honorary life membership is a recognition of an individual’s support for civil liberties both through their own efforts and through their work with the Council.
After a gap of some years we are pleased to award life memberships to three people who have all contributed generously of their time and effort to the cause of civil liberties in New Zealand. Keep reading “Grant of Honorary Life Membership”
Chairperson’s Report 2021
Chairperson's report for 2021 discussing issues and events in New Zealand, and summarising the actions of the Council. Keep reading “Chairperson’s Report 2021”