Targeted consultation on privacy and security of digital identity information
This consultation is now closed.
The Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) is undertaking targeted consultation seeking advice on the privacy and security of digital identity information that is held by the Department in New Zealand.
On this page:
The Department is seeking views from technical experts on how digital identity information that is held by the Department can be kept private and secure when sharing information with third parties.
The goal is to understand how to maintain the privacy and security protections over the information that the Department holds on behalf of New Zealanders. There are no legislative or regulatory changes proposed.
Discussion document
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Privacy and security of digital identity information held by the Department of Internal Affairs: Discussion Document (DOCX, 495KB)
We invite you to download the discussion document and fill out the questions included in it. You may answer as many or as few questions as you like.
Scope of this consultation
The discussion document focuses only on the core identity information the Department holds and handles on behalf of New Zealanders (such as births, deaths and marriages information). It also references the Department’s lead role in supporting digital, customer centered services across government.
The Department currently operates mainly through “centralised identity systems” like RealMe, where identity data is held in government‑managed registers and shared under legislative authority, consent mechanisms, and formal information‑sharing arrangements.
We are seeking input on whether additional safeguards are needed as New Zealand moves toward a more “decentralised approach” to digital identity. A decentralised approach would look like people holding credentials in private digital wallets and sharing selected information directly with third parties, such as businesses or service providers.
In the context of the Department, credentials most commonly refers to an “identity credential” that is created after a person’s identity is confirmed using multiple core information attributes (such as name and birth date) from authoritative sources (such as a birth certificate).
This is not a consultation on the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework regulations or associated rules. For information on the framework, please visit: https://www.dia.govt.nz/trust-framework
To make a submission, please send a copy of the document filled out with your answers to our email or PO box:
Digitalidentity.consultation@dia.govt.nz
Department of Internal Affairs
PO Box 805
Wellington 6140
You can also contact the digital and identity team with questions about the consultation at these addresses.
The consultation was open from 28 April 2026 to 25 May 2026. This consultation is now closed.
How we will use your feedback
The Department will use your feedback to develop advice on any future work in digital identity to the Minister of Internal Affairs.
How we treat your information
The Department will keep all submissions consistent with our obligations under the Public Records Act 2005 (the Public Records Act). The Department may publish submissions on our website www.dia.govt.nz. If we do, we will publish the names of organisations, not people.
The Department is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). This means that your feedback becomes official information. It can be requested and released under the OIA, unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it.
If you do not want any information contained in your submission released, you need to make this clear in your submission and explain why. This will assist us in making withholding decisions. We cannot guarantee that your information will be withheld.
Personal information
The Privacy Act 2020 (the Privacy Act) governs how the Department collects, holds, uses, discloses and disposes of personal information about submitters and their feedback. Submitters have the right to access and correct personal information.
Any personal information you supply to the Department when making a submission will only be used for the purpose of assisting in the development of advice in relation to this consultation or a related purpose, or for contacting you about your submission.
