Office of the Privacy Commissioner

When your patient has a gun: changes to firearms legislation Vee Blackwood
7 November 2019 at 11:17

Following the tragic events of Christchurch in March 2019, gun reform is a legislative priority. The Government recently introduced the Arms Legislation Bill to impose tighter controls on the use and possession of firearms.

Health Information Privacy Code, law enforcement

What’s in your DNA? What genetic testing might tell us about our health Vee Blackwood
24 May 2019 at 09:18

We’ve all seen the ads for genetic ancestry testing - as a way for people to trace their genealogy beyond traditional family trees and historical detail. And thanks to shows like CSI, the public might think of DNA as an investigative tool for the Police; a silver bullet that can solve any high-profile case in just minutes. But DNA can be used for much more than law enforcement activities or tracing ancestry.

Health Information Privacy Code, health

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen
24 July 2018 at 08:51

Generally the Privacy Act doesn’t apply to deceased people. This is because the Privacy Act protects the rights of “individuals”, and section 2 of the Act defines an individual as a “natural person, other than a deceased person”.

complaints, health, Health Information Privacy Code

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood
2 March 2018 at 10:18

This blog post was reviewed and updated in March 2025.

Health Information Privacy Code, health

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett
13 February 2018 at 12:14

If you work in a small practice or medical centre, there’s every chance you may not have received many requests for personal information from patients. The starting point is to know that the Privacy Act gives people the right to make a request for information that is about them.

health, Health Information Privacy Code, complaints

Can I tell the cops? A guide for health professionals Richard Stephen
7 July 2017 at 11:32

In their job, health professionals have to look after some of the most intimate details of their patients’ lives. This is a great responsibility, and patients trust and expect doctors, nurses and others to not just tell anyone. This obligation is recognised in the Health Information Privacy Code.

Health Information Privacy Code, health, IPP11 - disclosure, law enforcement

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett
8 July 2016 at 12:21

As parents, we expect to be told everything about our infants when we take them to the doctor. The same with our toddlers. By the time they get to their teens, it gets a little more complicated. Should parents have the right to know about all about their under 16-year-old’s healthcare?

children, health, Health Information Privacy Code

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew
31 May 2016 at 10:52

Mrs Patel was outraged. She’d visited her GP for a follow-up check after her hand surgery, and he’d asked her about her history of depression. She didn’t think she’d had anything of the sort, and decided to ask the receptionist for a copy of all her medical notes to see what else was in there. The young receptionist assured her that the doctor owned the notes so she couldn’t have them.

IPP6 - access, health, Health Information Privacy Code

Viewing entries tagged with 'Health Information Privacy Code'

When your patient has a gun: changes to firearms legislation Vee Blackwood 7 November 2019 at 11:17

What’s in your DNA? What genetic testing might tell us about our health Vee Blackwood 24 May 2019 at 09:18

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen 24 July 2018 at 08:51

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood 2 March 2018 at 10:18

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett 13 February 2018 at 12:14

Can I tell the cops? A guide for health professionals Richard Stephen 7 July 2017 at 11:32

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett 8 July 2016 at 12:21

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew 31 May 2016 at 10:52

When your patient has a gun: changes to firearms legislation Vee Blackwood
7 November 2019 at 11:17

What’s in your DNA? What genetic testing might tell us about our health Vee Blackwood
24 May 2019 at 09:18

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen
24 July 2018 at 08:51

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood
2 March 2018 at 10:18

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett
13 February 2018 at 12:14

Can I tell the cops? A guide for health professionals Richard Stephen
7 July 2017 at 11:32

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett
8 July 2016 at 12:21

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew
31 May 2016 at 10:52