Information Sharing
Information Sharing
The agreement aims to improve support for veterans and their whānau by sharing key information about veterans between relevant government agencies.
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Background The Government agencies that are party to the Veterans’ Affairs AISA When will information-sharing start? What sort of information can be shared? What are the benefits of the AISA to veterans and organisations? Should I be concerned about the security of my information?In April 2024, Veterans’ Affairs and the other government agencies that are party to the agreement signed the Veterans’ Affairs Approved Information Sharing Agreement (AISA). The Veterans’ Affairs AISA came into force on 6 June 2024.
Background
An Approved Information Sharing Agreement (AISA) is a legal instrument made by Order in Council under the Privacy Act. It authorises the sharing of personal information between organisations to facilitate the provision of public services.
The Veterans’ Affairs AISA specifies which government agencies can exchange information and what can be exchanged. It does not allow a free exchange of any veteran information between government agencies and Veterans’ Affairs. For example, health information like X-rays cannot be shared under the AISA.
The Government agencies that are party to the Veterans’ Affairs AISA
Not all of the government agencies will be able to share information. Only those that are party to the Veterans’ Affairs AISA and those agencies are:
- Veterans’ Affairs, which is a unit of the New Zealand Defence Force
- Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
- Department of Corrections (Corrections)
- Te Tari Taiwhenua ǀ Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)
- Health New Zealand (Health NZ)
- The New Zealand Customs Service (Customs)
- The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
- Te Tāhuhu o te Matauranga ǀ Ministry of Education (MOE)
- The Ministry of Health (MOH)
- The Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
- The Registrar-General, Births, Deaths and Marriages (Registrar-General).
When will information-sharing start?
Each agency will have its own operating procedure, which will be approved by the Privacy Commissioner. Once we have an operating procedure, we can start sharing information with that agency. As of September 2024, we are working on operating procedures with NZDF, Corrections, the Registrar General (Births, Deaths, and Marriages), and the Ministry of Health.
What sort of information can be shared?
The AISA’s schedules set out the type of information that can be shared about veterans with each participating agency.
Information shared may include:
- current and previous names
- date and place of birth
- contact details
- passport details
- the fact that they are a veteran; their last date of service, and details relating to their service
- current rehabilitation and treatment plan details
- current services provided by Veterans’ Affairs
- current and previous services provided by ACC
- sentence details
- any date they enter or leave prison
- any prison release and reintegration plans
- any travel movements outside of New Zealand
- knowledge if they are working
- any benefits received
- any current and previous partners of the veteran
- relationship information relating to children, dependents, and whāngai
- birth, marriage, civil union, death and name change records.
Not all the participating agencies will be able to share the same information. Certain health information and files like X-rays will not be able to be shared at all.
What are the benefits of the AISA to veterans and organisations?
The purpose of the AISA is to improve services to veterans and their whānau. Many of the services, support, or entitlements to veterans and their family and whānau are based on current and historic factors in the veteran’s life. For example, if a veteran has a relationship change or has a child in education, the veteran’s and their family or whānau's entitlements may change.
If organisations can access up-to-date and correct information about veterans, they have the opportunity to improve existing support to a veteran and to make it easier to gain support from Veterans’ Affairs and other supporting government agencies.
Should I be concerned about the agreement reducing entitlements for me or my family or whānau?
As a result of the increased information sharing, some services that are currently being provided to veterans and their family and whānau could possibly be reduced when it is shown that they no longer qualify for the services, entitlements or support.
If this is the case, the Privacy Act requires the government agency that is going to negatively impact an individual — based on the information received under the AISA — to write to them and provide them with ten working days to advise if the information is incorrect and therefore the wrong decision has been made.
If eligibility for support changes or the level of support reduces then, wherever possible, we will assist the veteran or family to transition to another form of available support.
Should I be concerned about the security of my information?
The AISA includes strict rules about the way that the parties can technically share the information. These are intended to ensure that information remains safe at all times.