Algorithm Charter – panel discussion

We are hosting a panel discussion about Statistics New Zealand’s Algorithm Charter, at 6:00pm on Wednesday, 26 February in Conference Room 3, St Andrews on the Terrace.

Doors open at 5:30pm and refreshments will be served.

The panel will have a moderator who will encourage polite conversation with time for audience input.

The panel members are:

• Julie Haggie – CEO of Transparency International NZ. She has over 20 years of experience in CEO or senior leadership roles, including eight years leading the Home and Community Health Association. Julie says, "The vision of Transparency International New Zealand is a world with trusted integrity systems, where government, politics, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption. It is our collective responsibility as New Zealanders to actively promote openness and integrity. We are good at that, but we can be better."  
• Dr Mary Ellen Gordon – Senior Lecturer of Information Systems at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) and runs its Masters in Information Management programme. Mary Ellen has published multiple data-intensive academic research papers on topics including Internet marketing, marketing education, and strategic alliances.  Prior to her role at VUW Mary Ellen led a range of market research and data analytics companies and projects.
• Chris Cormack (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe) – Technical Lead Koha Team at Catalyst IT in Wellington. Chris is a member of Te Mana Raraunga (the Māori Data Sovereignty Network) and has a particular interest in bias in algorithms. He has a BSc in Computer Science and a BA in Mathematics and Māori Studies. He was the lead developer of the original version of Koha, an open source, fully featured, scalable library management system, and believes in Free Software and allowing users the freedom to innovate.
• Dr. Dale Elvy – Manager, System Policy – Data System Leadership,  Stats NZ –  Dale is a principal policy adviser at Stats NZ. He worked with the Department of Internal Affairs, and the Privacy Commissioner, on how the government uses data, and analytical tools like algorithms. Together with the Privacy Commissioner, he helped develop six Principles for the Safe and Effective Use of Data and Analytics. Dale was the main author of the 2018 Algorithm Assessment Report which looked at algorithm use in fourteen major Government agencies. 
• Steven Ensslen, New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties
  Steven has 20 years of experience in data engineering and data architecture roles. Currently, Steven manages a DataOps consulting firm in Wellington, when he isn't working on policy for the NZCCL.

Background Reading

• The draft Algorithm Charter as presented by data.govt.nz.
• We made a submission about the Algorithm Charter.
• Transparency International NZ also made a submission.
• Stats published the Algorithm Assessment Report in 2018, " A cross-government review of how government uses algorithms to improve the lives of New Zealanders was undertaken in 2018."

Accessibility

St Andrew's Centre has a gentle ramp with hand-rail from the street to the reception area, and a lift to the floor where the meeting rooms are located or stairs with a hand-rail. Seating is ordinary cushioned chairs which we are happy to move to accommodate wheelchairs, and there is no need to book a spot.

If you have any accessibility questions or would like someone you can call in case you need assistance, please contact the secretary or president in advance.