Privacy statement

Here’s how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) collects, stores, uses and discloses your personal information for the purpose of registering on SafeTravel and seeking consular assistance from overseas.

If you access consular assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including New Zealand Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates-General around the world, or register on SafeTravel we will collect and use your personal information for the purposes of providing consular services to you. We use databases called SafeCase, SafeTravel and – in an emergency - SafeCrisis to record the personal information we hold. 

Information about the consular services we provide is set out on the Our services page

We may need to share the information we hold with other New Zealand and host government agencies or service providers, such as hospitals, for the purpose of providing consular services to you or as required by law. If we need to share the information for reasons other than providing consular services to you, we will only do so in accordance with law or with your consent. 

We will store and destroy your information in accordance with the requirements of the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and Public Records Act 2005. 

By accessing consular services or registering on SafeTravel, you understand that the Ministry, including the relevant Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate-General, may use, disclose, store and dispose of the information as stated. 

Accessing personal information 

Individuals have the right to access personal information about them that is held by the Ministry. The Ministry will seek confirmation of the identity of the person making the request as set out in s45 of the Privacy Act. 

The Privacy Officer 

The Privacy Officer deals with any queries about the Ministry’s Privacy Policy and obligations under the Privacy Act 2020, as well as any complaints or potential breaches. 

The Ministry’s Privacy Officer can be contacted via email on [email protected] or by writing to: 

The Privacy Officer, 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18-901, 
Wellington, 
New Zealand.