Page 390 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 2

STS507 Vince G. et al.
assessment of how government agencies use algorithms to analyse people’s
data, to ensure transparency and fairness in decisions that affect citizens.
The focus of the review was primarily social agencies using algorithms that
directly impacted people. The review consequently covered 14 agencies and
assessed algorithms against the GCDS’ and Privacy Commissioner’s Principles
for the safe and effective use of data and analytics.
5

What did the review find?
The review found that agencies use a range of algorithms in their day to
day operations and that all of the algorithms described by agencies are
embedded in policies that are intended to deliver public benefit. These
include: improved efficiency, streamlining processes, proactively targeting
specific support to individuals, supporting decisions, protecting New Zealand
from risks and threats, and providing assessment or forecasting for policy
development.
It also found there are opportunities to increase collaboration and sharing
of good practice across government to ensure that all of the information that
is published explains, in clear and simple terms, how algorithms are informing
decisions that affect people in significant ways.
In broad terms the nature of the conclusions was that agencies were acting
with the right sort of issues in mind but that they were acting separately. This
highlighted the risks of lines being drawn about ethical behaviour separately
across Government and the potential inefficiencies of agencies separately re-
inventing the wheel. In general, it reinforced the message of a competent but
siloed approach to data and analytics issues.
The review was an example of Stats NZ operating outside our usual
mandate as a producer of statistics. It demonstrates that there are direct
connections between the foundations elements of good statistical practice
and a broader role of helping the New Zealand Government develop a well-
functioning data system.

4. The Centrality of the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI)
With cross government data initiatives, the issue generally arises how the
National Statistical Office can obtain leverage as it tries to engage agencies in
data issues. In New Zealand, apart from the explicit mandate provided by the
GCDS role, a critical aspect of acquiring leverage comes from how central the
IDI has become to how Government makes investments in its social
programmes.

5 Principles for the safe and effective use of and analytics https://www.privacy.org.nz/news-and-
publications/guidance-resources/principles-for-the-safe-and-effective-use-of-data-and-analytics-
guidance/
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