Algorithm charter for Aotearoa New Zealand
The Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand is a commitment by government agencies to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical use of algorithms and advanced analytics. Signatories commit to assessing algorithm risks, maintaining transparency, partnering consistently with the Treaty of Waitangi, focusing on people and impacted communities, ensuring data quality, safeguarding privacy and human rights, and retaining human oversight.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
New Zealand government agencies and public sector bodies utilizing algorithms to deliver services.
What the document contains
The document covers government commitments and principles for managing risks associated with algorithms, including impact assessments, transparency measures, public engagement, and human oversight.
It does not provide a technical definition of an algorithm, nor does it fully address complex considerations like Māori Data Sovereignty.
- Government agencies commit to transparency, partnership, people-centric engagement, data quality, ethics, and human oversight in algorithm use.
- The charter does not specify a technical definition of an algorithm but targets those carrying high risk or significant impacts on vulnerable communities.
- Agencies use a risk matrix to assess the likelihood and impact of unintended adverse outcomes to determine how the charter applies.
- The charter supports public trust and confidence while allowing agencies to harness data analytics for effective service delivery.
· Signatories · The value of algorithms · Definitions · Review · Foundations · Assessing likelihood and impact · Application and commitment
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
4/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
Transparency and accountability are critical to ensuring that the public can trust and support the government to use these tools in appropriate ways.
The value of algorithms
screening score · 2026-10-23
Fairness
4/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
identifying and managing bias.
Algorithm Charter Commitments
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
1/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
Privacy, ethics, and human rights - Ensure that privacy, ethics and human rights are safeguarded by
Algorithm Charter Commitments
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
4/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
Retain human oversight by: nominating a point of contact for public inquiries about algorithms providing a channel for challenging or appealing of decisions informed by algorithms clearly explaining the role of humans in decisions informed by algorithms.
Algorithm Charter Commitments
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
4/5Protection of personal data and private life
publishing information about how data are collected, secured and stored.
Algorithm Charter Commitments
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
4/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
Transparency - maintain transparency by clearly explaining how decisions are informed by algorithms.
Algorithm Charter Commitments
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
1/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
An independent review of the Charter - which involved interviewing signatories, non-signatories, and subject matter experts - was completed by Taylor Fry in December 2021.
Review
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
4/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
We commit to making an assessment of the impact of decisions informed by our algorithms.
Commitment
screening score · 2026-10-23