- We're pleased that the amendments (particularly those that restrict access to the births, deaths and marriages registers) were publicly debated.
Historians, journalists and the public had the opportunity to make submissions before the BDMRR Bill went before the Select Committee. Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker has subsequently proposed changes to the BDMRR Bill. - The new proposal (allowing individuals to request that their records are not disclosed to the public) seems a reasonable compromise between open access and privacy. But we wonder whether it might still hamper some historical studies.
More information
- Births, Deaths and Marriages registers: www.bdm.govt.nz
- Department of Internal Affairs: www.dia.govt.nz
- Privacy Commission: www.privacy.org.nz
Newspaper articles
- New Zealand Herald "Assault on right to know" (21 May 2007)
- Dominion Post "Births, deaths and other secrets" (20 April 2007)
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