The Archives and Records Association of New Zealand (ARANZ) welcomes the recommendation of the Governance and Administration Select Committee to remove a clause that allowed public agencies operating overseas to be exempt from public sector record keeping obligations. The clause was part of the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill which aimed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of regulatory systems overseen by the Department of Internal Affairs.

ARANZ submitted that the clause could remove public accountability requirements for agencies, including the New Zealand Defence Force. This concern was picked up by the Committee who have reported that they consider that any changes to legislation exempting public offices should require further public consultation and detailed policy design.

Other points raised by ARANZ were also picked up by the Committee, with recommendations made for the registration of any sale, amendment or destruction for health and safety reasons of public archives.

© Scoop Media