Sentencing Act 2002

Sentences, orders, and related matters - Biometric information

80ZMA: Purpose of collecting biometric information

You could also call this:

"Why the police collect information like fingerprints and photos from people who break the law"

When biometric information is collected under certain sections of the law, such as section 49(1)(fa), 54F(1)(gb), 59A, 69E(1)(db), 80C(2)(cb), or 80O(eb), it can only be used for a few specific purposes. You need to know that these purposes are to help manage offenders and keep the public safe, to identify offenders before they leave New Zealand, and to make sure offenders follow certain conditions, such as those specified in sections 54F(1)(ga), 69E(1)(da), 80C(2)(ca), and 80O(ea). Biometric information can only be used for these purposes and no other.

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This page was last updated on 26 June 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7434201.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyCrime and justice > Criminal law

80ZM: Procedure if possible grounds for variation or cancellation of sentence exist, or

"What happens if a Judge thinks your sentence might need to be changed or cancelled"

80ZN: Imposition, and effect, of drug or alcohol condition, or

"What happens when a court gives you rules to follow about drugs or alcohol as part of your sentence"

Part 2Sentences, orders, and related matters
Biometric information

80ZMAPurpose of collecting biometric information

Biometric information collected under section 49(1)(fa), 54F(1)(gb), 59A, 69E(1)(db), 80C(2)(cb), or 80O(eb) may only be used for the purpose of helping—
to manage offenders to ensure public safety; and
to identify offenders before they leave New Zealand; and
to enforce the conditions specified in sections 54F(1)(ga), 69E(1)(da), 80C(2)(ca), and 80O(ea).

Biometric information may be used only for the purpose referred to in subsection (1).

Notes

Section 80ZMA: inserted, on 22 August 2017, by section 65 of the Enhancing Identity Verification and Border Processes Legislation Act 2017 (2017 No 42).