Tēnā koe Charlie,

I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request below.

Your reference number is IR-01-25-42561.

You can expect a response to your request on or before 9 December 2025 unless an extension is needed.

Ngā mihi

Jonelle |Advisor: Ministerial Services |(she/her)
Policy & Partnerships |Police National Headquarters |

-----Original Message-----
From: Charlie Drummond <[FOI #32947 email]>
Sent: Friday, 21 November 2025 2:20 pm
To: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Official Information request - Artificial Intelligence (AI), algorithmic analysis, and advanced software tools on video and data feeds from cameras.

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the New Zealand Police Network. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and are assured that the content is safe.

Dear New Zealand Police,

This is a request for official information under the Official Information Act 1982. I am requesting information regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), algorithmic analysis, and advanced software tools on video and data feeds from cameras.
This request covers both Police-operated cameras and camera feeds accessed from third parties (e.g., local councils, private companies).
Part A: Governance, Policy, and Agreements Policies and Procedures: Please provide copies of all current policies, procedures, and ethical frameworks that govern the use of AI, facial recognition, or other algorithmic analysis tools on video surveillance feeds.
Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs): Please provide a list of all PIAs that have been completed regarding the use of these technologies. Please also provide a copy of each of these PIAs, redacting only the specific operational details that would genuinely prejudice law enforcement under section 6(c) of the OIA.
Third-Party Access (Non-ANPR): Please provide a list of all public bodies (e.g., city councils) and private entities from whom NZ Police has an agreement to access general CCTV or other public camera feeds for the purpose of AI-driven or algorithmic analysis.
Technology Vendors: Please provide a list of the names of the AI, facial recognition, or video analytics software products currently in use or being trialled. I am not requesting technical specifications, only the product names (e.g., "Clearview AI," "Palantir," etc.).
Part B: Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Specifics This part of the request is specific to ANPR data.
Agreements and MOUs: Please provide a list of all private companies and public bodies with whom NZ Police has an agreement to access their ANPR data.
"Live" vs. "Historical" Access: Please clarify if any agreements or systems allow NZ Police "live" or real-time access to a third party's ANPR feed, as opposed to making historical requests for data.
Data from Private Parking Companies: Please state specifically whether NZ Police has accessed, or has an agreement to access, ANPR data from private parking enforcement companies.
Clarification on Withholding Grounds
I understand that some specific operational details may be withheld under sections 6(a) and 6(c) of the OIA. This request is primarily focused on the governance framework, policies, and ethical considerations that guide the use of these powerful technologies, rather than the specifics of active investigations.
Information about the rules and policies that govern Police operations is of high public interest to ensure accountability and transparency. If specific details within a document are deemed sensitive, I request that the remainder of the document be released with only the sensitive portions redacted.
This request is made in the public interest to understand how NZ Police is managing the legal, privacy, and ethical risks associated with the use of AI and mass surveillance technologies.

Yours faithfully,

Charlie Drummond

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