New Zealand issues AI guidance for regulators
New Zealand’s Ministry for Regulation has published guidance to help regulatory leaders assess where AI can support their work while preserving accountability, transparency, and human judgement.
New Zealand’s Ministry for Regulation has issued new guidance on the responsible use of AI in regulatory systems.
The guidance, titled Responsible AI in action, was published in May 2026 and is aimed at regulatory leaders. It provides practical steps for deciding where AI can add value, how to assess risks, and how to apply AI without weakening legal accountability or public trust.
The ministry says AI can help regulators analyse information at scale, draft material, and identify patterns. It also stresses that regulatory decisions still require human judgement, legal interpretation, and accountability.
The guidance is part of a wider resource suite that includes short guides and videos for regulators. These materials focus on shared understanding of AI risks, judgement, oversight, and responsible use in regulatory settings.
The latest version also adds material on Māori data and Māori data sovereignty, including references to Te Kāhui Raraunga guidance on Māori data governance expectations.
The ministry describes the guidance as practical support for regulators leading AI innovation with confidence. A full guidance document and summary are available through the Ministry for Regulation website.
