OpinionOpinion byPaul JamesNZ Herald·15 Jun, 2026 11:00 PM4 mins to readPaul James is the New Zealand secretary for Internal Affairs.Paul James is the New Zealand secretary for Internal Affairs. Image / NZMETHE FACTSThe Government has been working towards a digital identity system to regulate how Kiwis share private information, whether online or in person.The Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Act 2023 came into effect on July 2024. Its purpose is to create a digital identity environment that is safe and trusted by the people who use it.In December, Australia banned under-16s from major platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.
A recent opinion piece by retired District Court Judge David Harvey raised questions about the role of the Department of Internal Affairs in relation to the identity data of New Zealanders, including how much responsibility sits within the agency and how this information is
