Office of the Privacy Commissioner | Police not requiring photo ID in quake zone
Privacy Commissioner John Edwards has looked into reports by some news media that Police were insisting travellers along SH1, south of Seddon, carry photo ID in order to determine whether they have legitimate reasons to be in the area.
Police this afternoon advised the Privacy Commissioner that while advice is being provided to people intending to travel, they are not being required to carry or produce photo ID.
Mr Edwards says he is satisfied that Police were not making this a condition of travelling in the earthquake-hit area.
“The Police have reassured me that this is not the case, Locals, as well as tourists, travelling in the area may be asked to discuss their travel intentions but there is no current legal power to require a traveller to carry or produce photo ID beyond the usual requirement for drivers to show a valid drivers licence,” Mr Edwards said.
ENDS
For further information, contact Sam Grover 021 509 735.
A printable copy of this media release is available here.