New ZealandAI regulation

Regulation Status

• New Zealand has no comprehensive, binding AI-specific law in force; its approach is sectoral and principle-based, relying on voluntary frameworks (the Algorithm Charter, the Public Service AI Framework and Responsible AI Guidance) and alignment with OECD AI Principles.
• The government released its New Zealand AI Strategy and Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses (2025), confirming a light-touch, principles-based approach aligned with OECD AI Principles, and has adopted the Bletchley Declaration; it engages actively in multilateral AI-security guidance with the US, UK, Australia and Canada and in joint data-protection-authority statements.
• Privacy and data-protection law is being updated to address AI and biometrics — the Privacy Commissioner has consulted on a draft Biometrics Code — and a member's Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill would extend offences to AI-created intimate images, but these measures are not comprehensive AI-specific regulation.