Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
The Green Party has unveiled a new policy to regulate artificial intelligence, arguing New Zealand needs stronger safeguards before AI becomes more deeply embedded in workplaces, government services and everyday life.
Announcing the policy, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said AI should serve people rather than large technology companies.
“Artificial Intelligence should work for people and the planet. We don’t work for AI,” Swarbrick said.
The Greens say regulation would ensure AI does not replace human decision-making, protects New Zealand’s data sovereignty, operates within environmental limits, shares benefits broadly across society and remains transparent and accountable.
The proposal comes as artificial intelligence emerges as a growing election issue, with political parties increasingly debating how much oversight the rapidly developing technology requires.
According to policy details reported by RNZ and the Otago Daily Times, the Greens would prohibit fully automated decision-making in public services where outcomes could significantly affect people’s lives, insisting a human decision-maker must remain accountable. The party is also calling for stronger protections around the use of personal data and AI training materials.
The Greens have additionally raised concerns about the environmental impact of large AI data centres and want stricter oversight of their energy consumption.
However, the Greens are not alone in seeking tighter AI regulation.
Earlier in the campaign, Labour unveiled its own AI policy, proposing an Office of AI within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, an online safety regulator, stronger protections for creators whose work is used to train AI systems, and safeguards around personal data. Labour leader Chris Hipkins argued New Zealand should play an active role in shaping AI rather than leaving decisions solely to global technology companies.
The debate highlights a growing area of agreement among parties on the centre-left, with both Labour and the Greens arguing that AI brings enormous opportunities but also significant risks requiring government intervention.
By contrast, commentators have noted the National-led Government has generally favoured a lighter-touch approach to AI regulation, focused on encouraging adoption and investment while relying largely on existing legal frameworks.
For voters, the question is no longer whether artificial intelligence will become part of everyday life. The emerging political battle is over who should control it, how it should be regulated, and who ultimately benefits from its growth.
