Correct Your Personal Information in NZ — Privacy Act (2026)
About this article
Sourced from New Zealand Acts of Parliament (legislation.govt.nz), regulations, and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
If an organisation holds information about you that is wrong, out of date, or misleading, Information Privacy Principle 7 of the Privacy Act 2020 gives you the right to ask it to correct that information. You make a correction request (often alongside an access request), and the agency must either fix it or take reasonable steps to do so.
If the agency disagrees and won't change it, you have the right to have a statement of correction attached to the record showing the change you sought. That way anyone reading the file sees your position. If the agency won't even attach your statement, you can complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
When does it apply?
- An organisation holds incorrect or outdated information about you.
- A wrong record is affecting decisions about you.
- An agency refuses to correct or note a disputed entry.
What to do to correct your information
- Request the correction in writing, citing IPP 7, and state the correct facts.
- If refused, ask for a statement of correction to be attached to the record.
- Complain to the OPC if the agency won't correct or attach your statement.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't assume a refusal is final — you can require a statement of correction.
- Don't leave a damaging error unchallenged — it can affect credit, employment, or services.
About Data Privacy & Digital Rights in New Zealand
New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020 gives you real control over your personal information through 13 Information Privacy Principles (IPPs). You can access what an organisation holds about you (IPP 6) and ask it to correct mistakes (IPP 7), usually free and within 20 working days. Organisations that suffer a serious data breach must notify the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) and affected people. Complaints go to the OPC and, if needed, the Human Rights Review Tribunal, which can award damages. Government-held information is accessed under the Official Information Act 1982, and online harm is handled under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015.
OPC: 0800 803 909. Online harm (Netsafe): 0508 638 723.
Common Questions
What is the correcting your personal information right in New Zealand?
If an organisation holds information about you that is wrong, out of date, or misleading, Information Privacy Principle 7 of the Privacy Act 2020 gives you the right to ask it to correct that information. You make a correction request (often alongside an access request), and the agency must either fix it or take reasonable steps to do so.If the agency disagrees and won't change it, you have the right to have a statement of correction attached to the record showing the change you sought. That way anyone reading the file sees your position. If the agency won't even attach your statement, you can...
When does it apply — correcting your personal information?
An organisation holds incorrect or outdated information about you.A wrong record is affecting decisions about you.An agency refuses to correct or note a disputed entry.
How do I correct wrong information held about me in New Zealand?
Request the correction in writing, citing IPP 7, and state the correct facts.If refused, ask for a statement of correction to be attached to the record.Complain to the OPC if the agency won't correct or attach your statement.
What should you NOT do — correcting your personal information?
Don't assume a refusal is final — you can require a statement of correction.Don't leave a damaging error unchallenged — it can affect credit, employment, or services.