An Introduction to Privacy in NZ

Overview

Whether you're new to privacy or have recently taken on privacy responsibilities, this practical three-hour course will help you understand what good privacy practice looks like in a New Zealand context. You'll gain a clear understanding of the Privacy Act 2020, the Information Privacy Principles, and your responsibilities when collecting, using, sharing, and protecting personal information. Packed with practical examples and real-world scenarios, this course focuses on what you need to know to manage privacy confidently in your organisation.

Course Details

Course Content

  • Module 1: Privacy Fundamentals

    Learning objective: Understand why privacy matters and the basics of the New Zealand Privacy Act.

    Topics:

    • The importance of privacy

    • The New Zealand privacy framework

    • Personal information.

  • Module 2: The Information Lifecycle

    Learning objective: Understand the information lifecycle and how the privacy principles govern handling personal information.

    Topics:

    • Collection / Creation

    • Notice

    • Use

    • Security

    • Disclosure

    • Retention / Disposal.

  • Module 3: Privacy Requests

    Learning objective: Know how to respond when people exercise their privacy rights for access or correction.

    Topics:

    • Access requests

    • Correction requests

    • Timeframes

    • Grounds for withholding information

    • Dealing with difficult requests.

  • Module 4: Privacy Breaches

    Learning objective: Know what to do when things go wrong.

    Topics:

    • Identifying privacy breaches

    • Common breach examples

    • Mandatory notification requirements

    • Serious harm assessments.

  • Module 5: Privacy by Design

    Learning objective: Build privacy thinking into everyday work.

    Topics:

    • Privacy by design

    • Asking privacy questions early

    • New projects and system changes

    • AI and privacy considerations

    • Vendor and third-party risks.