Search and Surveillance Act Review Phase A Engagement

Overview

We are seeking your involvement in a review of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (the Act).

The Act controls how Police and other law enforcement agencies can search people or property and carry out surveillance, and includes rules to safeguard human rights. 

There are two main drivers for the review:

1. Recommendation 18 from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Masjidain to review all legislation related to the counter-terrorism effort to ensure it is current and enables public sector agencies to operate effectively.

2. A statutory review of the Act completed by the Law Commission and the Ministry of Justice in 2017, which made 67 recommendations for improvement. The government has not yet considered these recommendations.

Links to a range of background materials are provided below, including:

• Media release announcing review
• Engagement video
• Search and Surveillance Act 2012
• SSA Review 2016/17 report

Please note that you can skip sections if you don't have any comments to make on that particular topic.

Why your views matter

It is important that those who represent affected communities and interested organisations have an opportunity to take part in the review and help us to get the settings right. 

This engagement also seeks ideas on how to engage with communities and the wider public in the next phases of the review.

Please contact us if you would prefer to give your feedback through an online meeting or by email - SSAReview@justice.govt.nz

What happens next

Insights from this engagement will inform subsequent phases to the review. They will support the review to make substantive and procedural decisions.