To the New Zealand House of Representatives:

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Aotearoa New Zealand, draw the attention of the House to the following concerns regarding the proposed Digital Identity Services Trust Framework (Digital ID) and any moves towards a centralised digital identity system.

We believe that such a system, while potentially offering administrative convenience, poses a significant and unacceptable threat to the privacy, freedom, and security of all New Zealanders.

Our primary concerns are:

1. Mass Surveillance and Erosion of Privacy: A centralised Digital ID creates a framework for the pervasive tracking of citizens' activities, both online and in the physical world. It would enable the government and authorised third parties to compile a detailed, lifelong dossier of every individual—from their medical and financial history to their travel and shopping habits. This is incompatible with a free and democratic society and represents a fundamental breach of our right to privacy, as affirmed in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.

2. Function Creep and Mission Creep: History shows that government powers and technological systems, once established, almost always expand beyond their original stated purpose. A Digital ID initially presented for accessing government services would inevitably be linked to banking, social media, transport, and eventually form a mandatory prerequisite for full participation in society. We do not consent to this slippery slope.

3. Security Risks and Data Vulnerability: Centralising our most sensitive personal information creates a single, high-value target for cyber-attacks, both from foreign states and criminal organisations. No system is 100% secure. A single breach could lead to catastrophic identity theft and fraud on an unprecedented scale, with consequences lasting a lifetime.

4. Loss of Autonomy and Freedom: The potential for a Digital ID to be used as a tool for social control is our gravest concern. It could easily be linked to a social credit system, where access to services, finance, or travel is granted or denied based on compliance with government mandates, political views, or social behaviour. This undermines the principle of presumption of innocence and the right to move and associate freely.

5. Exclusion of Vulnerable Populations: A mandatory digital-first system would disproportionately harm the elderly, low-income communities, rural New Zealanders with poor internet access, and those who are not technologically literate. It would create a new "digital divide," effectively excluding vulnerable citizens from essential public and private services.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that the House of Representatives:

· Explicitly legislate to prohibit the development or implementation of any centralised, compulsory Digital ID system in New Zealand.

· Ensure that any digital identity initiatives remain strictly voluntary, decentralised, and based on principles of minimal data collection and user consent.

· Initiate a full, transparent, and public debate on the ethical implications of digital identity, with a specific focus on protecting the rights and liberties of citizens from state and corporate overreach.

We believe that the proposed Digital ID system represents a dangerous step towards a surveillance society. We urge you to protect the freedoms and democratic values that define New Zealand and reject this initiative