New Zealand Data Transfer Bill Becomes Law; Privacy Office Issues Enforcement Guidance

MELBOURNE, Australia—Amendments to New Zealand’s framework privacy law that give new enforcement powers to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) regarding the overseas transfer of personal information were given final approval Sept. 7 and took effect Sept. 8.

Also Sept. 8, New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff issued an enforcement guidance fact sheet on the new law setting out how the OPC will use the new “exceptional” powers it was granted in the amending legislation.

The Privacy (Cross-Border Information) Amendment Bill, which amended the Privacy Act 1993, was passed by Parliament Aug. 26 (9 PVLR 1256, 9/6/10