While data can be used to create powerful advantages, organisations need to understand and manage their obligations. Cyber-attacks and other data breaches can have a devastating effect on reputation and serious legal consequences.

Our privacy lawyers advise private and public sector organisations on the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with privacy laws, including New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020, and consumer protection and antispam laws.

In this rapidly evolving area of the law, our specialists are across all the latest developments, including artificial intelligence (AI) and advancing technologies.

We guide clients on their strategies around data governance and pursuing the opportunities that data use can create, while adhering to good data ethics.

Our lawyers have particular expertise in crisis management, managing data breaches, and litigation arising out of cybersecurity and data disputes. We acted in the ground-breaking case that first recognised breach of privacy as actionable under New Zealand law. Since then, we’ve acted on leading New Zealand cases dealing with civil liability for interference with privacy and with balancing the competing values of privacy, open justice, and freedom of information.

We are active members of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (iapp) with several members of our team acting as chairs on the Auckland chapter KnowledgeNet.