Submission on Policing Amendment Bill

Mana Mokopuna recommends the Bill does not proceed as currently drafted because the broad powers it contains are under-defined. The proposed expanded information collection, use and retention powers pose significant risks to the rights of mokopuna.

We acknowledge that in some circumstances there are legitimate policing purposes to collect the personal information of mokopuna, however, it is our strong view that the rights of mokopuna must be expressly safeguarded with the Bill itself, providing clear legislated protections for children’s rights, and we recommend the Bill is amended accordingly.

A framework for effective child safeguards that could be adopted in this Bill is contained in the recommendations of the 2022 Joint Inquiry of the Independent Police Conduct Authority and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner into Police conduct when photographing members of the public.