Information matching

Information you supply to Immigration New Zealand may be used by other government agencies to allow more effective verification of information and help assess your eligibility for various services. Information matching is carried out under the authority of and consistent with Part 10 of the Privacy Act 1993 and is monitored by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

Agencies authorised to match identifying information with INZ

The below Specified Agencies have the support of the below Authorising Legislation for the following Purpose;

• Department of Internal Affairs (Citizenship Branch) supported by Section 26A Citizenship Act 1977 (Schedule 4), to verify –  (a) a person’s NZ citizenship status (b) a person’s entitlement to reside in New Zealand
• Electoral Enrolment Centre supported with Section 263B Electoral Act 1993, to identify people who are not qualified to vote but who have registered as an elector.
• Department of Internal Affairs (Births, Deaths & Marriages) supported with Section 78A and Schedule 1A of the Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1995, to o identify deceased holders of limited term visas.
• Department of Corrections uses Section 181 of the Corrections Act 2004 and Section 294 of the Immigration Act 2009, too identify offenders that may be liable for deportation.

A Short Guide to Information Matching

Immigration New Zealand undertake authorised information matching programmes with Government Agencies

The Department of Labour helps New Zealanders achieve high-quality working lives in thriving and inclusive communities through information, services and support for workplaces and communities. The immigration function of the Department of Labour sits within the Workforce group and contributes to this by increasing the economic and social framework of New Zealand through immigration.

However in doing this the rights of New Zealand citizens and persons already resident in New Zealand must be protected. Parliament has authorised limited access to certain government departments in order to provide better services to prospective immigrants and New Zealand citizens.

What is information matching?

Information matching is the comparison of personal information held in one set of records with personal information held in another set of records for the purpose of producing or verifying information about an individual. Information matching can only be performed where it has been authorised by statute and conforms to privacy legislation.

Why is information matching taking place?

Information matching can be done for a number of reasons, such as making it simpler to deal with government agencies or reducing overall costs to taxpayers. Information matching may also help to tidy up government databases (eg by identifying duplicates and reducing fraud).

To whom provides Immigration New Zealand information to?

The following agencies are authorised to match information with Immigration New Zealand:

• Department of Internal Affairs
• Electoral Enrolment Centre
• Department of Corrections

The privacy of the information is important

Agencies involved in information matching will only have access to the information they are legally entitled to. The Privacy Commissioner reviews the setting up of the Immigration New Zealand programmes and monitors their operation.

What can I do if I think my personal information may have been misused?

You can lodge a formal complaint with the Privacy Commissioner.

For more general information about privacy issues please contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner 0800 803 909 or through their website on www.privacy.org.nz.