The Chair of the Justice Committee is seeking public submissions about the international treaty examination of the Agreement Between New Zealand, of the one part, and the European Union, of the other part, on the Exchange of Personal Data Between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Authorities of New Zealand Competent for Fighting Serious Crime and Terrorism.

The agreement would enable the lawful transfer of personal data from Europol to domestic law enforcement authorities in New Zealand that are responsible for preventing and fighting criminal offences. This would be allowed for the purpose of preventing and fighting criminal offending while taking into account the required privacy and human rights safeguards.

Europol and the EU Member States are currently unable to share information about serious crimes with New Zealand Police except under emergency circumstances or through formal Mutual Legal Assistance processes. Mutual assistance is the process countries use to provide and obtain formal government-to-government assistance in criminal investigations and prosecutions. Since 2019, New Zealand Police have been able to share their data with Europol through the Working Arrangement establishing cooperative relations between New Zealand Police and Europol.

Tell the Justice Committee what you think

Make a submission on the bill by 11.59pm on 5 August 2022.

For more details about the bill:

· Read the Agreement Between New Zealand, of the one part, and the European Union, of the other part, on the Exchange of Personal Data Between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Authorities of New Zealand Competent for Fighting Serious Crime and Terrorism.

· Read the National Interest Analysis

· Follow the committee’s Facebook page for updates

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