Can you photograph and publish people in public in New Zealand?

As of October 9, 2026: New Zealand's Privacy Commissioner says that if an organisation uses your photo to promote its services, Information Privacy Principle 3 of the Privacy Act requires that it asked your permission and told you how the photo would be used. A photo taken for a work newsletter and later used in advertising does not meet that. The page does not say an organisation must take the photo down, and it does not state a rule for a personal photo that is not collected by an organisation.

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner: can I get an organisation to take down a photo they have of me?. Last verified October 9, 2026 by Terrell Groggins, photojournalist. This is not legal advice.