Te Tari Taiwhenua
Department of Internal Affairs
Purpose
1.
This briefing provides you with an update on the Public Private Partnership group’s
(PPP) confirmation that they will no longer be involved in the next phase of the
CovidCard work as a group and the options officials are exploring in order to proceed
with the trial.
Background
2.
On 3 August 2020, Cabinet considered the paper
Using the CovidCard to improve
contact tracing. Cabinet confirmed the Social Wellbeing Committee decision [CAB-20-
MIN-0359] to note your intention to undertake trials and research into the CovidCard
[SWC-20-MIN-0119].
9(2)(f)(iv)
The Public Private Partnership group has confirmed they are no longer going to be
involved in the next phase of the CovidCard work as a group
4.
Following the Cabinet consideration, we further engaged with the PPP about their
involvement with the CovidCard work. On 4 August 2020, we were notified that the
group had decided to pause their involvement.
9(2)(f)(iv)
1 Our indicative costings for this option are approximately $3.3 million.
SENSITIVE
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Te Tari Taiwhenua
Department of Internal Affairs
We are working to complete plans for the next phase of work on the CovidCard
9(2)(f)(iv)
•
Further trials: This would involve further closed trials to measure card performance
in social settings and get further information on the accuracy of the data collection
process, as well as an open field trial to determine how the card performs in
community settings.
•
Market research agency to test public sentiment to contact tracing technologies:
This research would give insights into whether people would use these
technologies as required to improve contact tracing, which would inform advice
about deploying these technologies.
•
Privacy and security assessments: A robust privacy impact assessment will help
ensure sufficient privacy protections are in place for any deployment of the
CovidCard and associated systems. Protections for the CovidCard and associated
systems would be important to encourage people to use the card and maintain
public trust. The assessment would also be required before any decision could be
made on deploying the CovidCard.
•
Further design work: We will also complete further design work into the CovidCard.
9(2)(f)(iv)
Risk
9(2)(f)(iv)
SENSITIVE
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