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Our transparency statements

Review our transparency statements for the collection and use of information, and how we use and engage on social media.

Read Maritime NZ’s transparency statements on: 

 

  • Maritime NZ collection, use, and sharing of information for regulatory compliance, law enforcement, and protective security purposes. 

  • Maritime NZ use of and engagement on social media, in line with the Public Service Commission’s guidance for official use of social media. 

Collection and use of information for regulatory compliance, law enforcement, and protective security purposes

This transparency statement applies to information gathered by our employees, contractors, or any third parties engaged by us. We require any third party that collects information on our behalf to meet the same obligations as Maritime NZ employees. 

 

Read this statement together with our: 

 

  • Privacy Statement 

 

Maritime NZ collects information to ensure the safety, security, and environmental protection of New Zealand’s coastal and inland waterways, and to protect the health and safety of our people by:

 

  • maximising compliance with regulatory frameworks that apply in the maritime environment, for example by ensuring commercial operators have a safety system in place before they begin operating, and by auditing and monitoring those systems to ensure they are effective 

  • detecting, investigating, and prosecuting offences, primarily under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 (MTA) and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) 

  • preventing, investigating, or responding to regulatory non‑compliance, for example breaches relating to maritime safety, environmental protection, or health and safety at work 

  • determining safety lessons learned through investigations 

  • taking appropriate steps to respond to, and mitigate, threats to the physical security of our people, or to the security of information or places, for example in response to a physical security breach or web hacking 

  • taking measures under the Maritime Security Act 2004 (MSA) that contribute to the security of New Zealand ports and shipping where there is potential or actual terrorist activity. 

 

We take care to collect information lawfully and appropriately and to meet our obligations under: 

 

  • the Privacy Act 2020 

  • the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 

  • the Public Service Code of Conduct 

  • Maritime NZ’s Code of Conduct 

  • the Public Service Commission’s Information Gathering and Public Trust model standards. 

 

We regularly review our information‑gathering practices to make sure they comply with these measures and our risk management requirements. 

 

How and why we collect information 

To perform our functions under the Maritime Transport Act, HSWA, the Maritime Security Act, the Ship Registration Act 1992, and relevant maritime rules and regulations, Maritime NZ is authorised to collect, use, and disclose information.

 

We can require information from individuals and entities to: 

  • give effect to relevant legislation and regulations 

  • ensure compliance with those requirements 

  • investigate potential non‑compliance. 

 

Maritime NZ collects information from a wide variety of sources, including: 

  • information provided by individuals, for example in person, via online forms, during audits and monitoring visits, during interviews, and through telephone conversations and observation 

  • information available from online sources, including websites, social media, and public registers 

  • information from physical sources and locations, for example paper records, site visits, audits, and inspections 

  • information from other agencies and entities, for example New Zealand government agencies, and international governments, agencies, and entities. 

 

Maritime NZ will take all practicable steps to verify information received from third parties. 

 

When collecting information, we take care to: 

  • collect only the information that is necessary for the exercise of our lawful functions 

  • use that information only in ways consistent with the reasons it was collected 

  • store the information securely and limit access to only authorised personnel 

  • disclose only the information that is necessary to give effect to our legislative responsibilities, to support other agencies’ law enforcement and regulatory compliance activities, or as otherwise permitted or required by law. 

 

Information provided by individuals or entities 

Most information we collect is provided by individuals or entities, or their authorised representatives, to fulfil statutory obligations and in line with our powers as a regulator. 

 

We also collect information provided by third parties about individuals and entities we regulate, for example information from members of the public who may have witnessed a maritime incident or potential regulatory breach. 

 

Other information collected directly by Maritime NZ 

When we are monitoring or auditing regulatory compliance, or investigating potential offences or regulatory non‑compliance, we may collect information using our statutory powers.

 

For example, we may: 

  • require the production of specified documents 

  • conduct and record interviews in person or by telephone 

  • take photographs and videos during site visits or inspections 

  • make drawings and sketches during site visits, inspections, or interviews 

  • collect publicly available information, for example from social media, news reporting, advertising material, press releases, and vessel‑tracking databases, where this would assist us to carry out our functions 

  • in limited circumstances, collect information through surveillance activities, in accordance with the Search and Surveillance Act 2012. 

 

Information collected from other agencies 

Maritime NZ may request the assistance of other government agencies in exercising our statutory powers, including but not limited to: 

 

  • New Zealand Police 

  • Ministry for Primary Industries 

  • WorkSafe New Zealand. 

 

This may include Maritime NZ receiving or requesting information from those agencies. Any such information will be gathered in accordance with our statutory powers, relevant legislation, and memoranda of understanding or similar agreements. 

 

Maritime NZ may also collect and receive information about potential regulatory non‑compliance from other governments and international agencies, regulatory bodies, and entities, such as the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). 

 

Maritime NZ is the responsible agency for the Maritime Security Act, which was established to enhance ship and port security and mitigate the threat of maritime terrorism. We receive intelligence information from the New Zealand intelligence community to carry out these functions. That information may lead to an escalation in maritime security levels and security measures in New Zealand ports. 

 

Information collected by third parties on our behalf 

Where information gathering requires specialist capability that Maritime NZ does not have, we may engage a third party to collect information.

 

This is subject to the standard legal limits on: 

  • privacy 

  • access to private property 

  • privacy and security of communications. 

 

We take care to use our information‑gathering powers lawfully and appropriately, and to meet our obligations under the Privacy Act 2020, the Public Service Code of Conduct, Maritime NZ’s Code of Conduct, and the Information Gathering and Public Trust model standards. 

 

For example, we may engage a third‑party investigator or security consultant to collect information to support our regulatory compliance activities.

 

Any engagement of a third‑party investigator or security consultant will be: 

  • approved by a Deputy Chief Executive 

  • subject to regular review in line with our policy on the use and management of third‑party investigators and security consultants. 

 

Any third‑party investigator or security consultant engaged by Maritime NZ to collect information for the purposes of investigating potential regulatory breaches will be a licensed private investigator and will be required to comply with Maritime NZ policies and procedures. 

What we do with the information we collect 

How we use the information we collect 

To carry out our regulatory compliance and protective security functions, we may use information we hold for: 

 

  • audit and monitoring 

  • analysis and risk assessment 

  • investigations into potential compliance breaches or complaints, where permitted by law. 

 

Maritime NZ may also use unidentified, summative information for: 

  • analysis and reporting 

  • informing our wider compliance and regulatory activities. 

 

When we share information 

We may share information where it is necessary to: 

  • properly carry out our legislative functions, or 

  • assist another public sector agency to fulfil its regulatory compliance, law enforcement, or protective security responsibilities. 

 

Information will be shared in line with our statutory powers, relevant legislation, and any information‑sharing agreements, memoranda of understanding, or similar arrangements. 

 

Maritime NZ may, for example, share information with: 

  • another regulator, oversight agency, or complaints body 

  • the other party to a complaint, to help investigate and resolve the complaint 

  • anyone who we believe could provide relevant information, including witnesses to a matter under investigation 

  • New Zealand Police, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, or another government agency if required or authorised by law, for example to assist with a criminal investigation. 

 

If Maritime NZ staff are threatened or abused, or information appears to have been collected unlawfully, we may refer this to New Zealand Police. 

How we protect the information we hold 

Information is stored and retained in line with our privacy policy and information records policy, and in compliance with the: 

 

  • Privacy Act 2020 

  • Public Records Act 2005. 

 

Social media transparency statement

This transparency statement explains how Maritime NZ uses and engages on social media, in line with the Public Service Commission’s guidance for official use of social media. 

 

How we use social media 

We use social media to share: 

  • the work that Maritime NZ does 
  • guidance and services for recreational boaties, seafarers, vessel owner‑operators, ports and harbours, and surveyors 
  • projects we are working on with partners 
  • new content from our digital channels, for example videos and events 
  • insights about the work we do and what it is like to work for us 
  • information about careers and job vacancies at Maritime NZ 
  • posts, articles, or publications from others that are relevant to our work and community. 

 

Our social media channels 

 

We currently use the following social media channels. 

 

You are welcome to follow us on these channels. 

 

Social media terms of use 

 

We value hearing from people who are interested in Maritime NZ’s work. 

By engaging with our social media channels, you agree to respect other people’s views. We may remove any posts that include: 

  • explicit or unrelated content, or personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other online contact details 
  • commercial endorsements or promotion of any product, service, or publication 
  • language or content that is defamatory, racist, sexist, discriminatory, insulting, offensive, including swearing or obscene or vulgar comments, or potentially harmful advice 
  • content that is clearly inaccurate or not relevant. 

 

Comments or users that breach these terms may be removed or blocked from our pages. 

 

You are welcome to continue interacting with us through our social media channels within these terms. 

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