Privacy Commissioner - Te Mana Matapono Matatapu

Data Matching

Parliament can pass legislation to permit departments to share information through authorised information matching programmes. View operating matches.

The Privacy Commissioner has a regulatory role to control the use of data matching by government departments. Data matching and information matching are two terms for the same process. The Act calls it information matching.

Part 10 and Schedule 4 of the Privacy Act govern information matching. To find these provisions in the Privacy Act, click here.

Each year, the Commissioner reports on the operation of all authorised information matching programmes across government. Her staff work closely with government agencies on proposals and implementation plans for new authorised matches.

If you would like to know more about information (data) matching in general, see the overview about the process and the protections the Privacy Act gives individuals involved.

Information on operating matches is provided in a summarised form with more information available in the Commissioner's annual reports.