Open Government Partnership New Zealand National Action Plan 2018-2020
Progress report to: 30 June 2019
Commitment 8 progress report: May – June 2019
Commitment 8: Review of government use of algorithms
Lead agency: Stats NZ/Government Chief Data Steward (working with Department of Internal Affairs/Government Chief Digital Officer)
Objective: To increase the transparency and accountability of how government uses algorithms.
Ambition: To ensure New Zealanders are informed and have confidence in how the government uses algorithms (automatic decision-making processes used by computer programmes) to identify patterns in data.
OGP values: Transparency, Accountability
Milestones
Milestone 1
Complete an initial review of existing operational algorithms and their use across a range of government agencies
Start/End dates: 1 June 2018 to 31 October 2018
Progress: Completed
Milestone 2
Consider next steps for all-of-government assurance related to the use of algorithms in collaboration with Civil Society representatives
Start/End dates: 31 October 2018 to 28 February 2019
Progress: Completed
Milestone 3
Prepare advice for Ministers outlining options for a government response to the recommendation from the Algorithm Assessment report
Start/End dates: June – October 2019
Progress: Completed
Milestone 4
Update this commitment (and its milestones) to reflect progress made in previous milestones
Start/End dates: October 2019
Progress: Underway
What we have been doing
- We are currently working through a policy process to develop options to respond to the algorithm assessment.
- As part of this policy process we will seek views from New Zealanders more generally on the proposals, with work on the associated communications and engagement plan underway.
- Following these decisions, we anticipate being able to update this commitment (and its milestones) to reflect progress made.
How we are including diverse voices
- Refer above.
How we are keeping diverse communities informed
- Refer above.
What’s next?
- Through Q3 we will provide advice to Ministers about developing government’s response to the algorithm assessment report. As part of this process we anticipate seeking views from New Zealanders generally on these issues, and subsequently we will provide further information on progress.