5 September 2025
Ref: DOIA-REQ-0017755 Andrew Lensen
Andrew Lensen
Email: [FYI request #31575 email]
Tēnā koe Andrew,
Thank you for your email of 14 July 25 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
Can you please provide all draft versions of the document "New Zealand’s Strategy for Artificial
Intelligence: Investing with confidence" (published 8 July 2025). This includes, but is not limited
to, the draft that was sent to public sector agencies for consultation.
Please also provide all information held on the changes made based on consultation feedback,
including how feedback from the public sector was taken into account in the final version.
On 21 July 2025, you contacted us to add an additional request.
Thank you for your clarification on the due date of the OIA. In addition to my original request,
can you please also provide any information held about how AI (including, but not limited to,
Large Language Models such as ChatGPT and Copilot) was utilised to help write the Strategy?
I note that the Strategy has a statement about the use of AI on the inside cover, but I am
requesting that the usage is explained more clearly and specifically than this provides.
MBIE notes that this request was extended to the 5 September 2025 for appropriate consultations with
relevant stakeholders.
Please find attached the documentation relevant to your request, starting with our advice.
Early drafts of the Strategy and stakeholder feedback
You will find attached the two most widely shared drafts of the AI Strategy. The earliest conversations
about the AI Strategy started in late 2024, but most drafting happened from February to June 2025. In
that period, there were different levels of engagement with stakeholders (both government agencies and
non-government groups and individuals). The list of agencies and a summary of stakeholders involved in
the consultation is outlined in the proactively released Cabinet paper:
Going for Growth- Enabling AI
uptake across the economy.
Your request for all substantive correspondence regarding the development of the Strategy is
administratively challenging to process due to the volume of material and the level of document review
required.
In light of this, we are fulfilling your request by providing a summary of the feedback, which outlines the
key themes from agencies and external consultations. This approach is permitted under section 16(2) of
the Official Information Act.
Additionally, the AI Forum and Kāhui Māori (as part of the AI Forum) are comfortable with us releasing
their feedback (which was provided in-confidence). Their feedback is specific to these groups and does
not imply that the full set of requested information is readily available or straightforward to compile. The
administrative challenge in processing the broader request remains.
It may be interesting for you to note that a Cabinet decision was made in Ju
ne 24 (ECO-24-MIN-0119) that
New Zealand would preference using and adapting existing legislation as it relates to AI, rather than
develop a standalone AI Act. An example of adapting existing frameworks is the Privacy Commissioner’s
recently published Biometric Privacy Code 2025. The Code, now law under the Privacy Act, will help make
sure businesses and organisations implementing biometric technologies are doing so, in a safe and
proportionate way.
How AI was used in the Strategy process
MBIE staff involved in the AI Strategy got Microsoft Copilot licences around May 2025. As soon as licences
were provided, staff were encouraged to use Copilot to compare documents, generate ideas and images,
summarise content, rewrite passages of text, and clarify citations etc. AI guidance was also released to
MBIE staff on the usage of Microsoft Copilot Chat, which is attached to this response. This guidance was
drafted in line with MBIE’s IT Acceptable Use Policy and guidance from the Government Chief Digital
Officer.
#
Description/Title
Withholding grounds
G01
Guidance for responsible use at MBIE
Released in full
Please find attached the documentation regarding draft AI strategies and stakeholder feedback.
Drafts AI strategies
Withholding
#
Description
grounds
DD1
National AI Strategy- April 2025
Released in full
DD2
National AI Strategy- May 2025
Released in full
Refused under
DD3
New Zealand’s AI Strategy: Investing with Confidence
section18(d)
Please note that you may access DD3 here
at New Zealand's strategy for artificial intelligence: Investing
with confidence. Therefore, MBIE is refusing this part of your request under section 18(d), as information
requested is publicly available.
Stakeholder feedback
Withholding
#
Date
Description
grounds
19 August
Feedback summary of agencies and external
Released in full
D1
2025
stakeholders
Withheld under
D2
23 April 2025
AI Forum feedback
section 9(2)(a) of the
Act
D3
20 April 2025
Kāhui Māori feedback
Released in full
Please note some information has been withheld under the following sections of the Act:
-
9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons.
I do not consider that the withholding of this information is outweighed by public interest considerations
in making the information available.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance,
please con
tact [email address].
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
Nāku noa, nā
Chrisana Archer
Manager Digital Futures Policy
Technology and Innovation
Labour, Science and Enterprise, MBIE
