34229 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology

Written Question

Published date: 24 Jul 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	34229 (2025)
Question asked:	10 Jul 2025
Member asking:	Francisco Hernandez
Portfolio:	Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology
Minister replying:	Hon Dr Shane Reti
Answer received:	20 Jul 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_34229_2025
Document guid:	06f0346b-6851-4426-a64a-471574dc4f37

34229 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology: How, if at all, is AI profiling and/or facial recognition used in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: As Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, I have no responsibility for any government departments. In regard to agencies, crown entities, and other bodies, I am informed that the New Zealand Institute for Earth Science has security gates and reception sign-in facilities that use facial recognition software, but that individual images are not stored without the user’s explicit approval.