The New Zealand Police say a new policy on new technologies will ensure that privacy and ethical concerns are met.
The policy outlines how staff need to deal with external proposals to test or trial use of emergent technologies, such as facial recognition programs and the use of algorithms.
Use of sophisticated surveillance and data collection technologies are becoming more commonplace in New Zealand and in one instance - first reported in May - police ran a trial of facial recognition technology from US firm Clearview A-I, without telling the government or the police comissioner.
Mark Evans is the deputy chief executive at the New Zealand Police and told Māni Dunlop the policy is aimed at soothing concerns around privacy.