Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Official Information Act 1982

Right of access to personal information

26: Correction of information

You could also call this:

"Fixing mistakes in your personal information"

If you get access to your personal information under section 24(1), you can ask for it to be corrected. You can do this if you think the information is inaccurate or incomplete and gives a misleading impression. You can write a letter to the department or organisation that gave you the information to request the correction.

If you ask for a correction, you can also ask for a note to be added to the information saying what correction you requested. The department or organisation must then tell you what they have done about your request.

You will be informed about the action taken as a result of your letter.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM65645.

Topics:
Rights and equality > PrivacyGovernment and voting > Government departments
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Part 4Right of access to personal information

26Correction of information

  1. Every person who is given access under section 24(1) to personal information may, by letter addressed to the department (for itself and for a departmental agency hosted by it or an interdepartmental executive board serviced by it) or interdepartmental venture or Minister of the Crown or organisation,—

  2. request correction of the personal information where the person believes that the information—
    1. is inaccurate; or
      1. is incomplete and gives a misleading impression; and
      2. require that a notation be attached to the information indicating the nature of any correction requested but not made.

        1. Where a department venture or Minister of the Crown or organisation receives a letter pursuant to subsection (1), it or he shall inform the person by whom or by which the letter was sent of the action taken by the department venture or Minister of the Crown or organisation as a result of the letter.

        Notes
        • Section 26(1): amended, on , by section 135 of the Public Service Act 2020 (2020 No 40).
        • Section 26(2): amended, on , by section 135 of the Public Service Act 2020 (2020 No 40).