The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is joining forces with the Office of the Ombudsman to mark Right to Know Day in New Zealand on 28 September 2017.

We’re marking the day with a Right to Know PrivacyLive Forum. There will be a panel discussion with political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards, representing Transparency International, Ombudsman Leo Donnelly, and Hayman Lawyers privacy expert Katrine Evans. The panel will be chaired by Radio New Zealand News Director Brent Edwards.

The right of access to information is an important human right, necessary for the enjoyment of other human rights. Right to Know Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the legal right New Zealanders have to see the information that organisations hold about them. While the Privacy Act gives people the right to have access to information about themselves, the Official Information Act gives people another kind of right - the right to access government information. Both these laws are important cornerstones of transparency and democracy and both are worth celebrating.

Please note: If you are unable to attend, we will be live streaming this event via Periscope. The panel discussion will also be recorded by Radio New Zealand for broadcast as a spoken features programme.