Note:  Access to this module password restricted.  Access is available only to staff of local authorities that contribute to the SOLGM Risk Management and Legal Compliance Programme.  If you do not know your password contact dmackay@solgm.org.nz

PRIVACY ACT

UPDATE (10 MARCH 2009):

This version of the module was published in March 2009.  The changes made are to the format of material and are intended to make the module easier to use.  The substantive content is not changed.

The changes made affect the format and layout of the analysis, hot Tips and Legal Compliance Tables.  These are:

• The analysis tables have been re-formatted & re-written
• The “hot tips” section has been expanded and some material moved from the analysis table to the hot tips table;
• “hot tips” are now numbered for easy reference;
• The legal compliance tables have been re-formatted and there are now hyperlinks to the particular legislative provisions referred to

People who are currently holding hard copy of the previous version of the module can continue to use these or may choose to print new ones. 

All suggestions for improvements, and all offers assistance with the review process gratefully accepted.

PDF Version of Module

A downloadable PDF version of the new version of the module can be downloaded from the foot of the Links and Pathways page of the module. 

Other Material of Interest

OFFICE OF THE PRIVACY COMMISSIONER:  The Office’s website (www.privacy.org.nz ) contains a range of information and guidance on privacy issues

SUGGESTIONS: If you know of other sources of information and guidance that are likely to be relevant to users of this module please let us know so we can add them to the list (dmackay@solgm.org.nz)

Contents of the Module

The Privacy Act imposes a number of important obligations on local authorities.  This module is an aid to local authorities in getting it right in this dealing with these.  The topics addressed are:

1. Receipt of Information Request
2. Information Request Allocation
3. Decision on Information Request
4. Transfer of Information Request
5. Refusal of Information Request
6. Processing Information Request
7. Urgency & Time Periods
8. Timelines
9. Complaints to the Privacy Commissioner
10. Appointment of a Privacy Officer
11. Information Relating to Public Registers
12. Table 1 - Information Privacy Principles
13. Table 2 - Public Register Privacy Principles

Passwords

Anyone who wishes to access this material but does not know their local authority’s password can contact dmackay@solgm.org.nz to get this.

Intranet Links

In addition if you are having to use a password to access the module but would like a password-free link set up from their local authority’s intranet can get their IT people to contact dmackay@solgm.org.nz  who can provide “the  magic words” to be inserted into the link.

Tell Tour Colleagues

A brochure about this module that you can use to tell colleagues about this module will be available here shortly. 

Thanks to Contributors

Our thanks to the individuals and local authorities who contributed to the development and maintenance of this module. These were:

The original development and peer review teams that developed and peer reviewed the module consisted of:

• Diane Palmer, Environment Waikato
• Maureen Poole, Environment Waikato
• Ingrid Leersynder, South Waikato DC
• Rowena Buchanan, Thames Coromandel DC
• Leanda Tuahine, Franklin DC
• Michael Hill, Hamilton CC
• Warwick McNaughton, Manukau CC
• Chris Mitchell, Phillips Fox

The team that undertook the first regular review of the module was:

• Diane Palmer, Environment Waikato
• Warwick McNaughton, Manukau CC
• Michael Hill, Hamilton CC
• Margaret Allen, Auckland CC
• Paul Davies, Franklin DC

The module was again reviewed by Simpson Grierson in 2007