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Record STMT-W769196Voluntary

Public Service AI Framework

Framework Institutional policyOceania · NZin force

The Public Service AI Framework supports the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence technologies across the New Zealand Public Service. It sets a vision, defines five key OECD-informed principles, outlines the relevant national policy and legislative context, and details six pillars of the Government Chief Digital Officer's AI work programme. The framework serves as non-binding guidance to help agencies innovate safely, manage risks, and maintain public trust.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Government Chief Digital OfficeGovernment (executive) · NZ
Lead issuer
Legal forceVoluntary
Under whose authorityInstitutional policy
Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

Public sector bodiesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersResearchers and academics

Public service leaders, decision-makers, practitioners, and influencers looking for guidance on deploying AI lawfully and responsibly within New Zealand government agencies.

Sectors
Public administration · New Zealand Public Service

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers the vision, principles, scope, audience, and definitions for AI use within the New Zealand Public Service. It outlines the broader legal and policy context, details the GCDO's six pillars for AI work, and suggests practical ways agencies can apply the framework to development, policy formulation, skills building, and evaluation.

What's missing

The framework is explicitly non-binding and does not establish standalone binding regulations, statutory penalties, or enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.

Key takeaways
  • The framework provides non-binding guidance to help New Zealand public service agencies adopt AI responsibly and safely.
  • It is built around five core OECD-informed principles: inclusive sustainable development, human-centred values, transparency and explainability, safety and security, and accountability.
  • The guidance operates within New Zealand's existing light-touch, risk-based AI regulatory approach and aligns with current legislation like the Privacy Act 2020 and Public Service Act 2020.
  • The Government Chief Digital Officer's work programme is guided by six pillars: governance, guardrails, capability, innovation, social licence, and global voice.
Principles it states
Inclusive, sustainable developmentHuman-centred valuesTransparency and explainabilitySafety and securityAccountability
Outline
· Overview of the Public Service AI Framework
· Intended outcome of the Framework
· Why do we need a Framework?
· Scope and audience of the Framework
· What kinds of AI does the Framework apply to?
· Vision of the Framework
· The 5 principles of the Framework
· Background to the Framework principles
· New Zealand policy context
· GCDO Public Service AI Work Programme
· Applying the Framework
· Contact us
Issued29 January 2025
Length1,919 words
FormatNot recorded
Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

AI use within the Public Service should be subject to oversight by accountable humans with appropriate authority and capability at every stage.

The 5 principles of the Framework

screening score · 2026-10-24

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

Public Service AI systems should contribute to inclusive growth and sustainable development through a focus on innovation, efficiency and resilience, and on reducing economic, social, gender and other inequalities

The 5 principles of the Framework

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

4/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

These rights and laws include personal data protection and privacy, dignity, non discrimination and equality, self determination and autonomy.

The 5 principles of the Framework

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

4/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

Agencies need to provide human oversight throughout the AI lifecycle to ensure ethical and appropriate use.

The 5 principles of the Framework

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

These rights and laws include personal data protection and privacy, dignity, non discrimination and equality, self determination and autonomy.

The 5 principles of the Framework

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

To support this, agencies should publicly disclose: when AI systems are used how they were developed how they affect outcomes

The 5 principles of the Framework

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

0/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

3/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

AI evaluation — using the Framework to assess AI initiatives against its key values, principles and rules.

Applying the Framework

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

artificial_intelligence public_administration ethics governance transparency