Amends the Policing Act 2008 in two parts. Part 1 reaffirms the Police's ability to record images and sounds in public places and to collect personal information for lawful purposes, including intelligence, after the Tamiefuna v R [2025] NZSC 40 judgment and the IPCA/Privacy Commissioner Joint Inquiry narrowed the law. Part 2 expands temporary road closure powers to all public and private areas accessible to the public by vehicle, with new offences and infringement fees for non-compliance. It is still before Parliament.
This bill amends the Policing Act 2008 in two main ways. Part 1 reaffirms in law the Police's longstanding ability to record images and sounds in public places and to collect personal information for lawful purposes, responding to recent court and inquiry findings that had created uncertainty about that authority. Part 2 expands temporary road-closure powers to other public areas and creates new offences for non-compliance.
Supporters argue that clear statutory authority is needed so Police can carry out routine functions such as gathering evidence and intelligence without legal doubt, and that broader closure powers help manage disorder and public-safety risks. Others raise privacy concerns about recording and information-gathering in public, and will scrutinise the safeguards, oversight, and limits attached to both the recording powers and the expanded closure and offence provisions.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.