Emergent technologies proactive information releases

Date Published

September 2026

Police proactively publishes responses to a selected number of the many thousands of Official Information Act (OIA) requests it receives each year. This proactive publication occurs after requesters have received their response, and with the requesters’ identifying details (such as names and addresses) removed before publication. The OIA responses which are proactively published in this way typically involve matters of public interest. Following a strengthening of Police’s approach to approving tests or trials of emergent technologies, it is also intended to routinely publish – without the need for a prior OIA request – assessments which are undertaken on the privacy and security implications of technology-related proposals.

Police use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) platforms Audit Report - 2022 (PDF, 303KB)
Police use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) platforms Audit Report - 2024 (PDF, 378KB)
Police use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) platforms Audit Report - 2025 (PDF, 243KB)
Police use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) platforms Audit Report - 2026 (PDF, 181KB)
This report outlines findings from a baseline audit which sought to verify that authorised New Zealand Police staff are accessing externally‐provided ANPR data in appropriate ways.
- Privacy Impact Assessment - Police use of ANPR platforms - Simply Privacy (PDF, 1.35MB)
- ANPR (2022) - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 52KB)
- ANPR User Guidance (PDF, 177KB)
- OIA - Use of ANPR footage by Police (PDF, 699KB)
- OIA - ANPR usage data letter (PDF, 338KB)
- OIA - ANPR usage data (PDF, 475KB)
- OIA - Number of ANPR cameras (PDF, 352KB)
Mobile ANPR Governance paper and Privacy Impact Assessment (PDF, 14MB)

In January 2026 Police completed a Proof of Technology assessment for the use of mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) through the SAM app. This new functionality is known internally as SAM ANPR. SAM ANPR exists to increase Police's ability to identify vehicles and persons of interest that would otherwise go undetected. It extends ANPR capability beyond fixed infrastructure and specialist deployments to frontline staff.

The Proof of Technology assessment tested SAM ANPR alongside existing hardwired ANPR vehicle systems and demonstrated its operational potential. As of September 2026, only four Police vehicles nationwide are equipped with hardwired ANPR systems.

Police have approved an operational pilot of SAM ANPR. During the pilot, officers will use their Police-issued mobile devices to capture and process number plate information. The priority will be identifying stolen vehicles, vehicles of interest and persons of interest. A person or vehicle becomes of interest when it is associated with information that may be relevant to Police interactions. This may include details that help officers identify and manage potential safety risks, operational considerations, or other requirements when engaging with or approaching that person or vehicle. Vehicles with WOF or registrations that expired more than two months ago will also provide a notification through SAM ANPR, but this is not the focus.

Included is a paper for the approval of the pilot and a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA). The PIA is a living document that will be updated as any further considerations are identified. SAM ANPR does not retain information that is not acted on. Notifications are automatically overwritten as new information comes into view; for example, a subsequent plate hit will replace and remove the previous notification. Once overwritten, the previous information cannot be recovered, searched, or retrieved, as it is not archived.
Auror Review report (PDF, 852KB)
Police review to understand how Auror supports the delivery of core policing services, the operational effectiveness of Auror functionalities in addressing crime, and any potential risks or opportunities for Police in the day-to-day use of Auror.
Lumi drug scan brief privacy assessment (PDF, 148KB)
Privacy analysis for the Lumi Drug Scan project which allows frontline police to test suspected drug samples in the field in real-time.
Information relating to technologies identified in New Zealand Police's Assurance review of emergent technologies (including drones, body worn camera trial, ANPR, etc):
- Proactive OIA release IR-01-20-33757 (PDF, 327KB)
  Cover letter responding to OIA request for information on consideration and/or use of a range of technologies
- Proactive OIA release IR-01-20-33757 supporting table (PDF, 150KB)
  Table providing details on seven specific technologies
- Proactive OIA release IR-01-20-33757 supporting document (PDF, 7.28MB)
  Collation of 100+ pages of relevant supporting material on
Automated Biometric Identification Solution Privacy Impact Assessment (PDF, 591KB)
Privacy impact assessment for the Automated Biometric Identification Solution project to upgrade image management with an enhancement to the existing photo management system.
Police Assurance Group review of emergent technologies (PDF, 1MB)
Review of Police’s involvement in trials making use of emergent technologies and opportunities to safely position New Zealand Police around emergent technologies in the future.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Proof of Concept (PoC) (June 2020 draft) (PDF, 24.46MB)
An assessment of the value added (benefits) which RPAS usage offers police and the community, compared to the standard practices (without RPAS) of Police in situations where RPAS may be used.
Safe and ethical use of algorithm report and related documents
- Safe and Ethical Use of Algorithms Report (PDF, 2.7MB)
  Taylor Fry report on the Safe and Ethical Use of Algorithms
- Expert Panel Advice on Algorithm Report (PDF, 96KB)
  The independent expert panel has provided advice on the Taylor Fry Safe and Ethical Use of Algorithms Report
- Police response to Expert Panel advice on Algorithm Report (PDF, 711KB)
  Police response to the advice provided by the expert panel on the Taylor Fry Safe and Ethical Use of Algorithms Report
- Taylor Fry response to Expert Panel Advice on Algorithm Report (PDF, 383KB)
  Taylor Fry’s response to the expert panel advice on the Safe and Ethical Use of Algorithms Report
Facial Recognition Technology: Considerations for use in Policing (PDF, 522KB)
Recommendations made to Police on the use of Facial Recognition Technology, in a NZ Police setting.
- OIA - Use of facial recognition technology (PDF, 264MB)
Acceptable use of generative AI policy (PDF, 1.05MB)
- AI Review Report 1 AI technologies currently used to improve crime prevention, detection and community safety (PDF 1.13MB)
- AI Report 2 AI technologies for improved efficiency and service delivery (PDF, 1.33MB)
Technology Assurance Review New Technology Proposals (PDF, 396KB)