Facial recognition trial launched in three Christchurch supermarkets
Foodstuffs South Island began a three-month trial of facial recognition technology in three Christchurch supermarkets in October 2025 to identify individuals with histories of violent or threatening behaviour. The Privacy Commissioner's previous inquiry found the technology compliant with New Zealand privacy law but raised concerns about misidentification, technical bias, and surveillance risks.
What happened
From 29 October 2025, Foodstuffs South Island began a three-month trial of facial recognition technology at New World St Martins, PAK'nSAVE Papanui and PAK'nSAVE Moorhouse in Christchurch.
The system compares images of all customers entering the stores against a watchlist of individuals identified as having acted violently, threateningly or aggressively in store. When the system detects a match with at least 92.5% accuracy, trained staff manually review the alert and decide whether to observe the person, contact police, or ask them to leave. No images of people under 18 or vulnerable people are added to the watchlist, and images that do not match are instantly deleted.
Reported impact
Foodstuffs said stores had been repeatedly targeted with serious, threatening behaviour even after individuals were trespassed, and the trial aims to help identify repeat offenders and prevent further harm.
Index analysis
The Privacy Commissioner's inquiry into a previous trial across 25 North Island supermarkets between March and September 2024 found the system compliant with the Privacy Act, though it raised concerns including misidentification, technical bias, unnecessary data collection, and surveillance risk. The Commissioner noted potential safety benefits despite the privacy concerns.
Governance controls
Foodstuffs engaged with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and completed a Privacy Impact Assessment. The company published information on its website about how the system works and safeguards in place.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.