The Interim Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation

The Interim Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (ICDEI) focuses on leading safe data use and ethical data-driven innovation. It aims to build public trust and confidence and empower government agencies to innovate with data.

The centre will work across government in these key areas:

  • Engagement in the data ethics and innovation space.
  • Bringing together and developing advice on safe data use and data-driven innovation.
  • Developing a network for data ethics and innovation with key stakeholders.
  • Supporting relevant work programmes for government agencies.

About the centre

The Interim Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation is a small team within the function of the Government Chief Data Steward (GCDS). It supports government’s goals to foster the trusted and ethical use of data by government, as reflected in the refreshed mandate for the GCDS.

The ICDEI will:

  • act as a network that draws on and leverages the knowledge and expertise of government agencies
  • focus on supporting the integration and coordination of relevant work programmes across government agencies
  • provide visibility, advice, and guidance on data ethics, and promote public awareness and engagement of data-driven innovation and ethics.

The centre will draw on the knowledge and expertise of a wide network; including the Data Ethics Advisory Group (DEAG).

Data Ethics Advisory Group

The DEAG is the expert advisory arm of the ICDEI. The group meets every two months to test ideas, policy, and proposals related to new and emerging uses of data.

Background

In July 2023, Cabinet agreed to progress the establishment of the ICDEI as a crucial first step towards a formalised data centre in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Cabinet paper: Establishment of the Interim Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation

The ICDEI was formed officially on the 21 September 2023 to ensure government agencies have mechanisms in place to support safe and innovative uses of data. This is critical for developing Aotearoa New Zealand’s secure, trusted data environment and improving the flow of data across that data system.

Why is it called the Interim Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation?

We plan to progress the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation in two phases:

  • Standing up an interim centre to create a wider mandate and a scaled-up work programme for data ethics and innovation across government
  • Establishing a permanent centre if required.

More information

You can read updates about the Interim Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation by visiting the data.govt.nz blog.

Data.govt.nz blog

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