Last updated: 19 May 2026
To ensure transparency, informed consent, and robust data management that aligns with New Zealand privacy law and best practice, VOICEi2a is guided by the following core principles.
We will clearly communicate where data—particularly sensitive data such as voice recordings and transcripts—is geographically stored and processed.
We will inform participants that the legal and privacy protections in overseas jurisdictions may differ from those in Aotearoa New Zealand, and that they should consider this before submitting personal voice data. Individuals will be given a clear opportunity to opt out of participation if they are uncomfortable with the specified data storage arrangements.
We recognise that different data types carry varying levels of identifiability. While text-based contributions can be truly anonymous, voice recordings—due to their biometric nature—cannot be considered fully anonymous.
We will explicitly state this distinction and offer alternative participation methods (e.g., text entry) for those prioritizing maximum anonymity or who are concerned about voice identification. Measures will be documented and disclosed to mitigate the inadvertent capture of identifiable background information (e.g., accidental recording of other speakers in the vicinity).
Data will be collected and retained solely for the specific purpose for which explicit consent was given, and for a clearly defined, limited period communicated in advance.
Upon fulfillment of this purpose, or by a specified deadline, all collected data will be securely deleted. We commit to not using collected data for any unspecified internal purposes or secondary uses without explicit and renewed consent obtained separately from the original collection consent.
Participants will be clearly informed if artificial intelligence tools are employed for data analysis (e.g., sentiment analysis, emotion detection, thematic synthesis).
We will disclose whether the AI models used have been developed or trained within an Aotearoa New Zealand cultural context and acknowledge any potential biases this may introduce. The ethical and intended use of such analysis will be clearly explained to participants before data collection begins.
The precise purpose for collecting data will be clearly articulated to participants in plain language.
This includes explaining how the information will be utilised to achieve stated objectives, such as informing strategic decisions, understanding community perspectives, evaluating new technological applications, or supporting organisational learning. Participants should understand the direct impact and context of their contribution.
Implementation Commitment
These principles apply across all uses of VOICEi2a. Individual data collection pages, privacy notices, and policy documents will implement these principles in their specific contexts, with clear reference to this foundational framework.