Source: Privacy Commissioner
A state of national emergency has been declared to assist with the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The declaration applies to the six regions that have already declared a local state of emergency: Northland, Auckland, Tairwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and the Hawkes Bay.
The declaration triggers the Civil Defence National Emergencies (Information Sharing) Code 2020, under the Privacy Act 2020. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says a state of national emergency allows agencies to collect, use or disclose personal information for purposes directly related to the government and local governments response to the emergency. It is an incredibly stressful time for many people, especially those in the six regions. This code of practice was created to make it easier for government agencies and local government teams to work together in a safe, planned way.
