ActiveAdopted and in force, or in effect for the bodies it covers.

Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand

New Zealand · Guideline · Government of New Zealand

Read the official text Compare with another policy

Our summary

Government agencies commit to using algorithms responsibly by applying a risk matrix to assess potential harms and impacts. Signatories pledge to maintain transparency, partner with communities including te ao Māori perspectives, focus on people, ensure data quality, safeguard privacy and human rights, and retain human oversight in algorithmic decision-making. The Charter applies based on likelihood and severity of unintended adverse outcomes affecting New Zealanders.

Written by the Index in our own words. It is not legal advice; the official text is the authority.

Inside this policy

Every section of this policy in order. Our notes summarise each one in plain language and do not quote the official text, which is the authority.

Drafted by the Index An automated summary of the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.

8 sections

Algorithm charter for aotearoa new zealand

Government agencies use algorithms to distribute resources equitably, support decision-making, and reduce human bias in service delivery, and the Charter is a commitment to manage algorithmic use by balancing privacy and transparency, preventing bias, and reflecting Treaty of Waitangi principles, focusing on algorithms with high risk of unintended consequences or significant impact if they fail rather than adopting a technical definition. Signatories assess algorithms using a risk matrix combining likelihood (probable, occasional, or improbable) and impact (low, moderate, or high), with the Charter applying where impact is widespread or serious and likelihood is probable, should be applied where impact is moderate and likelihood is occasional, and could be applied otherwise. The Charter applies selectively to decisions with high or critical risk of harm rather than to all business processes.

Drafted by the IndexOfficial text

Algorithm charter for aotearoa new zealand

Government organisations pledge to build public confidence in how they use algorithms by assessing the impact of algorithm-informed decisions and applying Charter commitments according to the identified risk rating.

Drafted by the IndexOfficial text

Tr ansparency

Signatories must explain in clear language how algorithms inform decisions, including providing documentation of the algorithm, information about data and processes where lawfully permitted, and details of how data are collected, secured and stored.

Drafted by the IndexOfficial text

Partnership

Government agencies must incorporate a Te Ao Māori perspective into algorithm development and use consistent with Treaty of Waitangi principles to deliver clear public benefit.

Drafted by the IndexOfficial text

People

Agencies must identify and actively engage with interested stakeholders and groups affected by algorithms, and consult those who will be impacted by their use.

Drafted by the IndexOfficial text

DATA

Government organisations must ensure data used in algorithms is suitable for its purpose by understanding data limitations and identifying and managing potential bias.

Drafted by the IndexOfficial text

Privacy, ethics and human rights

Agencies must protect privacy, ethics and human rights by regularly having algorithms reviewed by peers to detect unintended consequences and responding to findings.

Drafted by the IndexOfficial text

Human oversight

Signatories must maintain human control over algorithm-informed decisions by designating a contact for public inquiries, providing a mechanism for appealing decisions, and clarifying the human role in decision-making.

Drafted by the IndexOfficial text

Controls

What this policy requires, forbids, grants or penalises, one control at a time and in our own words. Each control links to the official text, which is the authority. This is not legal advice.

Drafted by the Index Drafted automatically from the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.

Themes covered 9 of 35

Choose a theme to see only its controls. About the themes

Risk and scope 2 of 4

Prohibited practices, not covered
Risk management system, not covered

Data and privacy 1 of 4

Data subject rights and consent, not covered
Cross-border data transfer, not covered
Copyright and training data, not covered

Transparency and records 1 of 4

Labelling of synthetic content, not covered
Technical documentation, not covered
Record keeping and logging, not covered

Technical safeguards 3 of 4

Accuracy, robustness and cybersecurity, not covered

Assurance and lifecycle 0 of 4

Conformity assessment and certification, not covered
Registration and notification, not covered
Incident and breach reporting, not covered
Post-market monitoring and corrective action, not covered

Rights and protected groups 1 of 4

Children and vulnerable groups, not covered
Biometric identification and surveillance, not covered
Whistleblowing, complaints and redress, not covered

Roles and organisation 1 of 6

Supply chain and provider-deployer duties, not covered
General purpose and foundation models, not covered
Training and AI literacy, not covered
Public sector use and procurement, not covered
Innovation support and sandboxes, not covered

Enforcement and sectors 0 of 5

Enforcement, penalties and regulators, not covered
Sector rules: health, not covered
Sector rules: finance and insurance, not covered
Sector rules: employment, not covered
Sector rules: education, not covered

8 controls

Group by Section Theme