# Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand (2020)

- **Record type**: Policy instrument
- **Jurisdiction**: New Zealand
- **Instrument type**: Code of practice
- **Status**: Voluntary standard
- **Binding**: No — guidance, strategy or standard
- **Issuing body**: Stats NZ (Government Chief Data Steward) on behalf of signatory agencies
- **Adopted**: 2020-07-28

## In brief

Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand is a non-binding code of practice of New Zealand, issued by Stats NZ (Government Chief Data Steward) on behalf of signatory agencies. Its current status is voluntary standard. Voluntary for New Zealand government agencies that sign; applies to operational algorithms that affect people.

## Summary

Launched in July 2020, the charter commits signatory government agencies to transparency (plain-English explanations of how algorithms are used), partnership with Māori (Te Tiriti), people-focused use, data fit for purpose, privacy, ethics and human rights safeguards, human oversight and channels for challenge, applied through a risk matrix for high-impact algorithms. Around 30 agencies have signed; a 2021 review recommended stronger implementation.

## Scope

Voluntary for New Zealand government agencies that sign; applies to operational algorithms that affect people.

## Notes on dates

Dates are taken from the linked official source; a reviewer should confirm in-force and application dates before relying on them.

## Provenance

- **Permanent id**: AIPT-POL-0144 (https://aipolicytracker.org/id/AIPT-POL-0144; never changes or gets reused)
- **Record page**: https://aipolicytracker.org/policies/new-zealand-algorithm-charter
- **Official source**: https://www.data.govt.nz/toolkit/data-ethics/government-algorithm-transparency-and-accountability/algorithm-charter/
- **Source document**: Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand
- **Published by**: Stats NZ
- **Review status**: verified
- **Confidence**: high
- **Facts last confirmed**: 2026-09-26
- **Confirmed by**: Bhaskar Bhatt (see https://aipolicytracker.org/reviewers)
- **Retrieved**: 2026-10-27
- **Licence**: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
- **Cite as**: AIPolicyTracker (2026). "Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand (2020)" [AIPT-POL-0144, record version 1, verified 26 September 2026 by Bhaskar Bhatt]. https://aipolicytracker.org/id/AIPT-POL-0144 (accessed 27 October 2026).

> This record is a structured summary with a link to the official text. It is not legal advice. Open the official source before relying on any date or duty. How current each record type must be is published at https://aipolicytracker.org/verification; what a record must carry at all is published at https://aipolicytracker.org/coverage.