About OPC

Our policy team is responsible for reviewing and commenting on policy and legislative proposals. To contact us, please email policy@privacy.org.nz. Read our guidance for government agencies about seeking policy advice.

2025

9 January 2025	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Social Services and Community Committee on the Social Security Amendment Bill (103-1)	Open the PDF document, 261KB
16 January 2025	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill [93 – 1]	Open the PDF document, 141KB
24 April 2025	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill 113–1	Open the PDF document, 303KB
28 July 2025	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Education and Workforce Committee on the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill 138–1	Open the PDF document, 227KB
31 July 2025	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Education and Workforce Committee inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders encounter online, and the roles that Government, business, and society should play in addressing those harms	Open the PDF document, 258KB
18 August 2025	Submission to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Online Casino Gambling Bill, 18 August 2025	Open the PDF document, 186KB
3 September 2025	Submission to the Department of Internal Affairs on proposed Digital Identity Regulations Tranche 2	Open the PDF document, 223KB
1 October 2025	Submission to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 228KB

2024

29 February 2024	Improving retail market monitoring: clause 2.16 information notice	Open the PDF document, 109KB
5 April 2024	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Gang Legislation Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 170KB
5 April 2024	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 163KB
6 May 2024	Companies (Address Information) Amendment Bill Submission	Open the PDF document, 94.2KB
8 May 2024	Submission on Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Rules	Open the PDF document, 516KB
7 June 2024	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Privacy Amendment Bill (292-1)	Open the PDF document, 165KB
19 June 2024	Enhancing telecommunications regulatory and funding frameworks: Privacy Commissioner submission	Open the PDF document, 233KB
11 July 2024	Privacy Commissioner's Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Contracts of lnsurance Bill	Open the PDF document, 539KB
29 July 2024	Submission to the Education and Workforce Committee on the Education and Training Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 124KB
31 July 2024	Safer Online Services and Media Platforms	Open the PDF document, 184KB
9 October 2024	Submission on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024–25, Emergency Response, and Remedial Measures) Bill	Open the PDF document, 156KB
12 December 2024	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Social Services and Community Committee on the Responding to Abuse in Care Amendment Bill (97- 1)	Open the PDF document, 158KB
20 December 2024	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Health Committee on the Mental Health Bill	Open the PDF document, 196KB

2023

21 January 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on the Inspector-General of Defence Bill (178-1)	Open the PDF document, 115KB
3 March 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Health Committee on the Therapeutic Products Bill [204-1]	Open the PDF document, 130KB
29 March 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill [242-1]	Open the PDF document, 115KB
1 May 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Education and Workforce Committee on the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 3)	Open the PDF document, 124KB
2 June 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice Committee on the Land Transport (Road Safety) Amendment Bill (251-1)	Open the PDF document, 150KB
17 July 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Independent Electoral Review on their Interim Report	Open the PDF document, 219KB
31 July 2023	Submission: Safer Online Services and Media Platforms	Open the PDF document, 185KB
1 August 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s response to review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017.	Open the PDF document, 178KB
10 August 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Corrections Amendment Bill (264-1)	Open the PDF document, 185KB
20 October 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Legislation Bill (279-1)	Open the PDF document, 129KB
20 October 2023	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Ram Raid Offending and Related Measures Amendment Bill (283-1)	Open the PDF document, 184KB
19 December 2023	Submission: Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Regulations	Open the PDF document, 156KB

2022

17 February 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Social Services and Community Committee on the Oranga Tamariki Amendment Bill 2021 (95-1)	Open the PDF document, 141KB
29 March 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice Committee on the Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Bill	Open the PDF document, 137KB
22 April 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s response to review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017.	Open the PDF document, 178KB
13 May 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Natural Hazards Insurance Bill (113-1)	Open the PDF document, 139KB
19 May 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Education and Workforce Committee on the Fair Pay Agreements Bill (115-1)	Open the PDF document, 144KB
10 June 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Local Electoral (Advertising) Amendment Bill (137-1)	Open the PDF document, 120KB
17 June 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission on the Fisheries Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 123KB
19 July 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Health Committee on the Improving Arrangements for Surrogacy Bill (72-1)	Open the PDF document, 156KB
21 July 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Water Services Entities Bill (136-1)	Open the PDF document, 141KB
5 August 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice Select Committee on the International treaty examination between New Zealand and the European Union on the Exchange of Personal Data between Europol and the Authorities of NZ Competent for Fighting Serious Crime and Terrorism	Open the PDF document, 145KB
31 August 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Electoral Amendment Bill [152-1]	Open the PDF document, 123KB
6 September 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee on the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill (146-1)	Open the PDF document, 115KB
15 September 2022	Submission in response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on the broadening of the Privacy Act’s notification obligations	Open the PDF document, 174KB
8 November 2022	Submission to the Justice Committee on the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Bill (166-1)	Open the PDF document, 275KB
09 December 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s submission on the Charities Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 278KB
16 December 2022	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee on the Customs and Excise (Arrival Information) Amendment Bill (180-1)	Open the PDF document, 142KB

2021

28 January 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice Committee on the Rights for Victims of Insane Offenders Bill (129—1)	Download the PDF document, 137KB
4 February 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill (315-1)	Download the PDF document, 109KB
3 March 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill (51-1)	Download the PDF document, 139KB
4 March 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Taxation (Income Tax Rate and Other Amendments) Act 2020	Download the PDF document, 128KB
1 April 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification (Urgent Interim Classification of Publications and Prevention of Online Harm) Amendment Bill (268-1)	Download the PDF document, 149KB
19 April 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill (317-1)	Download the PDF document, 192KB
23 April 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Justice Committee on the Harmful Digital Communications (Unauthorised Posting of Intimate Visual Recording) Amendment Bill (305-1)	Download the PDF document, 209KB
28 April 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Health Select Committee on the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill (310 – 1)	Download the PDF document, 98KB
18 June 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice Select Committee on the International Treaty Examination of the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime	Download the PDF document, 137KB
23 June 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Ministry of Health on the Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Bill (No 2) 2021	Download the PDF document, 147KB
1 July 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill (29-1)	Download the PDF document, 248KB
13 August 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee concerning the Maritime Powers Bill	Download the PDF document, 157KB
16 August 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Ministry of Health on the Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Bill (No 2) 2021	Download the PDF document, 147KB
31 August 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Economic Development, Science, and Innovation Committee on the Incorporated Societies Bill	Download the PDF document, 153KB
14 September 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Inquiry into Supplementary Order Paper 59 on the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill	Download the PDF document, 153KB
20 September 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Economic Development, Science, and Innovation Committee on the Crown Minerals (Decommissioning and Other Matters) Amendment Bill	Download the PDF document, 1100KB
30 September 2021	Privacy Commissioner's Submission to Te Aka Matua o te Ture \| Law Commission	Download the PDF document, 774KB
23 November 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s submission to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill (51-1)	Download the PDF document, 139KB
2 December 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the Civil Aviation Bill	Download the PDF document, 123KB
2 December 2021	Deputy Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee on the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill	Download the PDF document. 130KB
9 December 2021	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Pae Ora Legislation Committee on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill	Download the PDF document, 120KB

2020

29 January 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Public Service Legislation Bill (189-1)	Open the PDF document, 128KB
21 February 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defenceand Trade Committee on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC 2021) Bill (187-1)	Open the PDF document, 318KB
21 February 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice SelectCommittee on the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill (185-1)	Open the PDF document, 130KB
25 March 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Social Services and Community Committee on the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (218-1)	Open the PDF document. 138KB
6 April 2020	OPC and IPCA joint submission on ‘Legislation for the New Zealand Police Vetting Service’	Open the PDF document, 343KB
20 May 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 154KB
21 May 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Environment Committee on the Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Bill (250-1)	Open the PDF document, 125KB
23 May 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice Committee on the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill (223-1)	Open the PDF document, 159KB
26 May 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Primary Production Committee on the Organic Products Bill (221-1)	Open the PDF document, 132KB
10 June 2020	Privacy Commissioner's submission on the Inquiry into the operation of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020	Open the PDF document, 313KB
24 June 2020	Submission to the Social Services and Community Committee on the Child Support Amendment Bill (228-1)	Open the PDF document, 125KB
10 October 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s submission on the Building Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 121KB
25 September 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s submission on New Zealand accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime	Open the PDF document, 169KB
15 December 2025	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Education and Workforce Committee on the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill (294-1)	Open the PDF document, 185KB
20 December 2020	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice Committee on the Arms (Firearms Prohibition Orders) Amendment Bill (No 2) Member’s Bill (217—1)	Open the PDF document, 167KB

2019

9 September 2019	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Law Commission on the Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations (Issues Paper 43)	Open the PDF document, 237KB
10 November 2019	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill (183-1)	Open the PDF document, 167KB
12 November 2019	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Arms Legislation Bill (177-1)	Open the PDF document, 191KB

2018

23 January 2018	Privacy Commissioner's Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 2003KB
31 January 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Education and Workforce Committee on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 1309KB
31 January 2018	Social Workers Registration Legislation Bill	Open the PDF document, 51.3KB
28 February 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on the Brokering (Weapons and Related Items) Controls Bill	Open the PDF document, 1298KB
2 March 2018	Privacy Commissioner's Submission to the Governance and Administration Committee 296-1	Open the PDF document, 529KB
5 March 2018	Privacy Commissioner's Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee on the Military Justice Legislation Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 520KB
6 March 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Justice Committee on the End of Life Choice Bill	Open the PDF document, 1743KB
3 April 2018	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission on the State Sector and Crown Entities Reform Bill to the Governance and Administration Committee 296-1	Open the PDF document, 198KB
5 April 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Health Committee on the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 856KB
3 May 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission on the Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 496KB
17 May 2018	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Justice Select Committee on the Corrections Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 161KB
23 May 2018	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission to the Law Commission on Abortion Law Reform	Open the PDF document, 217KB
31 May 2018	Privacy Commissioner’s Submission on the Privacy Bill to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee	Open the PDF document, 2MB
1 June 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission on the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 570KB
20 June 2018	Privacy Commissioner’s submission on the Local Electoral Matters Bill to the Justice Committee 50-1	Open the PDF document, 161KB
8 August 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Inquiry into the Use of External Security Consultants	Open the PDF letter, 88.2KB
22 August 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee on the Insolvency Practitioners Bill (including Supplementary Order Paper 45)	Open the PDF document, 487KB
30 August 2018	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2018-19, Modernising Tax Administration, and Remedial Matters) Bill	Open the PDF document, 2.3MB

2017

6 March 2017	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Social Services Committee on the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill	Open the PDF document, 6.7MB
22 June 2017	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Justice and Electoral Committee on the Family and Whanau Violence Legislation Bill	Open the PDF document, 2.9MB
22 June 2017	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Law and Order Committee on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 2.6MB

2016

29 January 2016	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Taxation (Residential Land Withholding Tax, GST on Online Services, and Student Loans) Bill 93-1	Open the PDF document, 2.1MB
19 February 2016	Submission to the Education and Science Committee about the Education Legislation Bill	Open the PDF document, 1624KB
22 February 2016	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Social Services Committee on the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration (Preventing Name Change by Child Sex Offenders) Amendment Bill 75-1	Open the PDF document, 1318KB
20 June 2016	Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Bill	Open the PDF document, 750KB
26 July 2016	Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2016-17, Closely Held Companies, and Remedial Matters) Bill 130-1	Open the PDF document, 778KB
26 September 2016	Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Taxation (Business Tax, Exchange of Information, and Remedial Matters) Bill 149-1	Open the PDF document, 1978KB
17 October 2016	Submission to the Foreign Affairs , Defence and Trade Committee on the New Zealand Security and Intelligence Bill 158-1	Open the PDF document, 7.2MB
22 November 2016	Privacy Commissioner's Submission to the Law and Order Committee on the Enhancing Identity Verification and Border Processes Legislation Bill 147-1	Open the PDF document, 3.3MB

2015

5 February 2015	Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill 219-1	Open the PDF document, 1134KB
2 March 2015	Law Commission review of Extradition Act and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act	Open the PDF document, 359KB
13 April 2015	Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill	Open the PDF document, 2.7MB
11 May 2015	Submission on the Customs and Excise Act Review Discussion Paper	Open the PDF document, 2009KB
15 June 2015	Petition of Hilary Keift and six others	Open the PDF document, 840KB
22 June 2015	New Zealand Business Number Bill 2015 No. 15-1	Open the PDF document, 959KB
31 July 2015	Electronic Monitoring of Offenders Legislation Bill	Open the PDF document, 768KB
17 August 2015	Evidence Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 37KB
7 September 2015	Law Commission Review of National Security Information in Proceedings	Open the PDF document, 340KB
7 September 2015	Submission to the Independent Review of Intelligence and Security by the Privacy Commissioner	Open the PDF document, 713KB
21 September 2015	Submission to the Social Services Committee about the Social Security (Extension of Young Persons Services and Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill by the Privacy Commissioner	Open the PDF document, 2.5MB
23 November 2015	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Social Services Committee on the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Register) Bill 16-1	Open the PDF document, 1537KB
30 November 2015	Privacy Commissioner's submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Taxation (Transformation: First Phase Simplification and Other Measures) Bill 41-1	Open the PDF document, 1604KB

2014

11 April 2014	New Zealand Business Number Government Discussion Document	Open the PDF document, 1335KB
4 July 2014	New Zealand's data future: a view from the Privacy Commissioner	Open the PDF document, 1798KB
25 September 2014	Electronic Shared Care Records Elements of Trust	Open the PDF document, 1023KB
27 November 2014	Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill	Open the PDF document, 365KB

2013

17 June 2013	Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 166KB
11 October 2013	Submission by the Privacy Commissioner to the Privileges Committee Inquiry regarding use of intrusive powers within the Parliamentary precinct	Open the PDF document, 59.4KB
5 November 2013	Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill 67-1	Open the PDF document, 138KB

2012

23 March 2012	Submission by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on the Privacy (Information Sharing) Amendment Bill	Open the PDF document, 688KB
30 March 2012	Submission by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on the Electronic Identity Verification Bill	Open the PDF document, 756KB
19 April 2012	Submission by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill	Read the Word document,
29 May 2012	Strengthening Economic Relations between Australia and New Zealand — consumer credit reporting	Open the PDF document, 768KB
2 November 2012	Land Transport Management Amendment Bill 46-1 Submission by the Privacy Commissioner to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee	Open the PDF document, 169KB

2011

7 February 2011	Submission by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on the Law Commission’s Review of the Official Information Acts	Open the PDF document, 248KB
18 February 2011	Taxation (Tax Administration and Remedial Matters) Bill 2010	Open the Word document
28 September 2011	Submission by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on the Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Bill	Read the Word document.

2010

31 May 2010	Comments on National Health IT Plan: Draft for Discussion	Open the PDF document, 183KB
11 June 2010	Electoral (Disqualification of Convicted Prisoners) Amendment Bill 2010	Open the Word document.
9 July 2019	Courts and Criminal Matters Bill 2010	Open the Word document.
14 October 2010	Customs Excise (Joint Border Management Information Sharing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill	View the full submission (Word document) A supplementary submission was made to the Justice and Electoral Committee on 26 October 2010.View the full submission (Word document)

2009

26 May 2009	Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill	Open the Word document
26 May 2009	Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill	Supplementary submission
18 September 2009	Search and Surveillance Bill 2009. Submission by the Privacy Commissioner to the Justice and Electoral Committee	Open the Word document
30 October 2009	Comments of the Privacy Commissioner to the Select Committee on the Border (Customs, Excise and Tariff) Processing Bill 2009	Open the Word document

Older submissions

28 February 2007	Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2)	Open the PDF document, 453KB
April 2007	Background Research Report on the National Health Index	Open the PDF document, 1015KB
7 May 2007	Births, Deaths, Marriages & Relationships Registration Amendment Bill	Open the Word document View the supplementary submission.
2 November 2007	Immigration Bill 2007	Open the Word document
19 November 2007	Public registers: Review of the Law of Privacy: Stage 2	Open the Word document.

3 April 2006	Unsolicited Electronic Messages (SPAM) Bill 2006	Open the Word document.
26 July 2006	Submission on FATF Inter-Agency Working Group discussion document	Open the PDF document, 341KB

11 April 2005

Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Bill

Open the PDF document, 112KB

17 November 1998

Immigration Amendment Bill 1998: Special procedures in cases involving security concerns

Read the Word document