Law & society: A proposed curb on deepfake AI is a necessary step
Act MP Laura McClure showing an AI generated deepfake nude photo of herself in Parliament. Photo / Supplied
The rise of deepfake technology has sparked debate in New Zealand over whether existing legislation, particularly the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 (HDCA), is sufficient to address the harms caused by AI-generated content.
Act MP Laura McClure has introduced the Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill, a private member's
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Techday NZ
2 hours ago
- Techday NZ
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The agency said it is working on a revised plan for Canterbury—the first region set to receive Motu Move—while also reviewing the entire national rollout schedule. An updated timetable is expected in August. Minister expresses frustration Transport Minister Chris Bishop did not mince words about his concern over the delay, telling Parliament's Transport and Infrastructure Committee he is "worried" about the project and has recently summoned the National Ticketing Solution governance group for urgent talks. "It is not on track at the moment," Bishop said. "I have made it clear to those overseeing the rollout that this is a government priority and that we need to see clear progress. No options are off the table." An external, independent review is now underway to diagnose what has gone wrong and what it will take to get Motu Move back on track. Bishop says he expects to receive a new delivery plan by the end of July. "New Zealanders deserve a system that is simple, reliable and available across the country. We have invested a significant amount of money and time into this, so I have encouraged the governance group to exercise strong leadership to get things moving again," he said. Frustration at the local level In Canterbury, where local authorities had been preparing for Motu Move's launch in Timaru, patience is wearing thin. Deon Swiggs, Deputy Chair of Environment Canterbury and a key advocate for the project, said the delay is "definitely frustrating". "We've been promised a modern, unified ticketing system for several years now," Swiggs said. "The principle of Motu Move is fantastic—whether you're in Christchurch, Wellington, or Auckland, you should be able to just tap on with your phone or card and travel seamlessly. But we need a clear and realistic timeline." Environment Canterbury had initially hoped to pilot Motu Move in Timaru as early as late 2024, before that deadline was pushed to early 2025 and then again to July. The region has already trialled contactless debit and credit card payments on Christchurch's airport bus route, and Swiggs hopes those lessons will make the transition smoother. He says the core payment technology appears robust, but integrating all the regional fare concessions, discounts and transfer rules is proving more complex than anticipated. "They need to deliver a product that is robust enough for us to roll out to the public. Communication needs to improve, too, so that everyone—councils, operators, and especially passengers—know what to expect," he said. A long-running and costly project Motu Move, officially known as the National Ticketing Solution, is one of New Zealand's most ambitious public transport projects. The idea of a unified transit card has been floating around for well over a decade. More than $146 million has been spent since 2018 developing the system, with total costs expected to reach around $1.3 billion over the next 15 years. The new system is supposed to allow people to pay for all major public transport services—whether bus, train or ferry—with a single card or by using their credit/debit card or smartphone. The plan is to phase out regional cards like Snapper, Metrocard and Bee Card, making it much easier for people to travel around the country, especially for those who travel between cities. However, deadlines have repeatedly slipped. Canterbury's launch was first targeted for December 2024, then early 2025, then July, and now there is no clear date in sight. Rollouts for Wellington, Auckland and other regions have also been pushed back. Looking ahead Despite the setbacks, both central and local government leaders remain committed to seeing Motu Move delivered. Bishop said funding is not the issue, pointing instead to technology and delivery challenges that need fixing. Waka Kotahi says it is exploring "alternative delivery approaches", such as rolling out some Motu Move features in phases. For now, however, the existing regional cards remain in use and Kiwis hoping for a one-card-for-all solution will need to wait a little longer. "We all want this to happen," Swiggs said. "It's about getting it right for the long term."
NZ Herald
a day ago
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David Seymour pushes Regulatory Standards Bill despite Waitangi Tribunal, public opposition
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a day ago
- Scoop
50 Years On: Petition Calls For Review Of NZ's Outdated Drug Laws
Campaign: Modernise Our Drugs Act A new petition is calling on Parliament to launch an independent regulatory review of New Zealand's outdated Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (MoDA) and its associated framework, including the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013. Launched under the banner Modernise Our Drugs Act, the campaign is non-partisan and focused on sound governance — not ideology. The petition specifically calls for the review to be led by the Ministry for Regulation, to ensure an evidence-based, impartial assessment of whether these laws are effective, efficient, fair, and fit for purpose in 2025 and beyond. 'This is about public interest and modern regulation. These laws haven't had a full review in 50 years — it's time to assess whether they're working, not from a moral or political standpoint, but through the lens of good governance.' Why Now? Outdated framework: MoDA was passed in 1975 and reflects an era long past. Fragmented laws: Ad hoc amendments have created inconsistency and confusion. Equity concerns: Māori, Pasifika, and young people are disproportionately impacted. Inefficiency: Current laws impose high costs on police, courts, and health services with limited results. Global leadership: New Zealand has previously led the world on needle exchange, medicinal cannabis, and drug checking — it's time to lead again. What This Petition Is Not Calling For This campaign does not advocate for: The legalisation or decriminalisation of any specific substance Specific changes to health or justice policies Any predetermined reform outcome Instead, it simply calls for a regulatory review — a neutral, expert-led process to evaluate whether our current laws are achieving their intended goals and aligned with modern evidence. The petition is live on OurActionStation and open for public signatures: About the Campaign Modernise Our Drugs Act is a grassroots, cross-partisan initiative seeking an evidence-informed, modern approach to drug law in Aotearoa. The campaign is focused on clarity, fairness, and regulatory fitness — not on promoting any specific policy outcome.
