The Government has denied that requiring community agencies to hand over data about their clients amounts to "surveillance". When obtaining written consent the providers will be able to assure clients that no wider detail will be passed on. "The independence of the community sector is a strength, and to undermine that independence is a mistake. The community sector is accountable to the community, but the Government is trying to shift the goalposts so that they have all the power." "In order to get positive long-term results for the clients of community providers, the government needs to collect this data," she said.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 16, 2016 22:19 UTC