New Zealand: Office of Privacy Commissioner issued statement on information sharing for child safety and wellbeing

On 9 October 2025, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) of New Zealand issued a public statement clarifying that the Privacy Act 2020 does not prevent the sharing of information where there is a safety or well-being concern for a child. The statement followed the Government’s acceptance of all recommendations from the 2022 Dame Karen Poutasi Review on changes to improve the system of safety nets for preventing harm in the children's system. It stated that the Oranga Tamariki Act allows lawful information sharing to keep children safe and that Sections 15, 16, and 66C of the Act provide legal protection for those acting in good faith. The Commissioner stressed that urgent concerns about harm should take priority and that good privacy practice ensures information is shared correctly.