Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Noisy neighbours: Holmes vs Housing New Zealand

11 September 2025

A Housing New Zealand tenant who found himself in a bureaucratic limbo when he complained to several agencies about a noisy neighbour ...

Tribunal strikes out privacy case after refusal to be cross-examined

22 December 2022

A recent privacy case shows it is in nobody’s interests to waste the Human Rights Review Tribunal’s time.

Awarding damages for emotional harm

4 August 2021

Under the Privacy Act, the Human Rights Review Tribunal can award damages for emotional harm caused by a privacy breach.

Tribunal strikes out man’s case against NZ Transport Agency

16 April 2021

A decision by the Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT) illustrates how other legislation can interact with, and override, the Privacy

Damages awarded after Community Law Centre breaches woman’s privacy

8 March 2021

A woman worked as a receptionist for Manawatū Community Law Centre (the Centre) on a one-year contract. During her employment she alleged workplace bullying...

Disclosure of mother’s HDC complaint breaches privacy

2 March 2021

The Human Rights Review Tribunal heard a case concerning a surgeon’s disclosure to ACC and other doctors that her patient’s mother had made a complaint ...

Emojis reveal true story in exemplary response to privacy breach

2 February 2021

When caught out by her employer shopping online during working hours, a woman’s attempt to claim reparations for humiliation and distress was ...

Tribunal awards $20,000 against law firm

30 September 2020

We published a case note in March 2019 about a law firm that demanded $19,000 from a former client. The client subsequently took the case to the HRTT.

No compensation for privacy breach for parents of disabled boy

7 July 2020

The parents of a profoundly disabled boy took a case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal on their son's behalf ...

Man awarded $50,000 for destruction of file

25 June 2020

The Human Rights Review Tribunal awarded $50,000 to an ACC claimant after it was found to have breached the Privacy Act by destroying his file.

Director of Human Rights Proceedings v Cameron Slater

2 April 2019

Cameron Slater, a well-known blogger, published a number of posts about business consultant Matthew Blomfield on the Whale Oil site.

Improper disclosure leads to ostracism, death

21 February 2019

The Human Rights Review Tribunal recently found that the Parole Board breached the Privacy Act when it disclosed an offender’s parole address.

Prisoner loses claim that his letters were unfairly withheld

12 December 2018

The Human Rights Review Tribunal has dismissed a claim by a prisoner that the Department of Corrections interfered with his privacy.

Make requested information understandable, says Tribunal

7 August 2018

A recent decision by the Human Rights Review Tribunal shows that when an agency receives such a request, where possible, they must provide the information in a

A sincere apology is hard to beat

12 September 2017

We continue to see apologies that fail to convince a complainant even though the quality of an apology is an important part of our efforts to resolve privacy...

Tribunal finds confusion over request led to delay

14 June 2017

Mr Brooks was an active Taekwondo competitor and a long-time member of the Taekwondo Union of New Zealand (TUNZ).

Tribunal dismisses costs application despite litigant's conduct

8 December 2016

In that case, Dr L had complained to the Privacy Commissioner’s Office and subsequently to the Tribunal because ACC had withheld personal information about...

Woman says Police unfairly disclosed information to her employer

2 November 2016

As a result of a complaint, Police began an investigation into a woman who worked at a district health board (DHB).

$15,000 award shows need to follow workplace policy

17 August 2015

A Human Rights Review Tribunal decision awarded a former Capital Coast DHB (CCDHB) nurse $15,000 for being denied information about a harassment complaint she m

$18,000 damages for disclosing private letter

6 August 2015

The Human Rights Review Tribunal says a former Massey University extramural student society president suffered humiliation and significant injury to her feeling

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