If that sounds far-fetched for New Zealand, think again. We’re already halfway down the same road, and it’s the National Government paving the way.
What China is doing is dystopian. The new system, launched in July, requires people to use a state-issued ID to post, comment or log in to digital platforms. Behind it is a nationwide infrastructure of surveillance, tracking and control. In time, users could be locked out of the internet altogether for saying the wrong thing or visiting the wrong site.
New Zealand’s own digital identity framework, pushed by National, is setting us up for a similar future.
In late 2024, the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework quietly came into effect. It sounded harmless, just some new rules to make online services easier and “more secure.” But dig deeper and you find a centralised authority that manages who can issue and verify digital identities, encouraging the linking of bank details, licences, IRD numbers and even biometrics to a single digital profile. It’s the backbone of a national digital ID system.
The National Government didn’t just support this system, they enabled it. They funded it, championed it, and ignored warnings about privacy risks, mission creep and long-term misuse.
At first, digital ID looks like convenience. You’ll be told it’s about stopping fraud. That it’s optional. That it’s safer. But as more services rely on it, that “choice” starts to vanish. Want to renew your licence? Access healthcare? Apply for a job? Soon, your verified ID will be required.
Once that’s in place, it becomes easy for any future government to track, restrict or censor you. You won’t be arrested for speaking out. You’ll just find yourself locked out of society.
In China, they call it “digital exile.” In New Zealand, all it takes is a policy change and a login screen.
National has a habit of building systems for others to misuse. They passed the laws. They funded the infrastructure. They helped create a tech framework that private companies and future governments can turn into a tool for control.
New Zealand’s own digital identity framework, pushed by National, is setting us up for a similar future.
In late 2024, the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework quietly came into effect. It sounded harmless, just some new rules to make online services easier and “more secure.” But dig deeper and you find a centralised authority that manages who can issue and verify digital identities, encouraging the linking of bank details, licences, IRD numbers and even biometrics to a single digital profile. It’s the backbone of a national digital ID system.
The National Government didn’t just support this system, they enabled it. They funded it, championed it, and ignored warnings about privacy risks, mission creep and long-term misuse.
At first, digital ID looks like convenience. You’ll be told it’s about stopping fraud. That it’s optional. That it’s safer. But as more services rely on it, that “choice” starts to vanish. Want to renew your licence? Access healthcare? Apply for a job? Soon, your verified ID will be required.
Once that’s in place, it becomes easy for any future government to track, restrict or censor you. You won’t be arrested for speaking out. You’ll just find yourself locked out of society.
In China, they call it “digital exile.” In New Zealand, all it takes is a policy change and a login screen.
National has a habit of building systems for others to misuse. They passed the laws. They funded the infrastructure. They helped create a tech framework that private companies and future governments can turn into a tool for control.
Their supporters include banks, insurers and tech giants - all eager to profit from a system where your ID, finances and health records are merged into one trackable identity. Add in their history of expanding GCSB surveillance powers and it’s not hard to see where this is heading.
This isn’t paranoia. It’s a pattern. A digital ID is introduced. It becomes required. Then it becomes a weapon.
We’re being led into a digital trap while being told it’s all for our safety.
If we don’t stop and question this now, New Zealand could end up exactly where China is today, a population forced to prove their identity to exist online, with the threat of being erased if they step out of line.
The infrastructure is already built. The system is already in motion. It’s all happening with the National Party smiling in the background, calling it progress. You’ve been warned
Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.
This isn’t paranoia. It’s a pattern. A digital ID is introduced. It becomes required. Then it becomes a weapon.
We’re being led into a digital trap while being told it’s all for our safety.
If we don’t stop and question this now, New Zealand could end up exactly where China is today, a population forced to prove their identity to exist online, with the threat of being erased if they step out of line.
The infrastructure is already built. The system is already in motion. It’s all happening with the National Party smiling in the background, calling it progress. You’ve been warned
Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.
3 comments:
Matua is publishing a correct and fair warning.
This will gain support through movements like “keeping kids off social media” and in return it will follow those kids and everyone else for life….no matter who is in charge.
How this tech is abused by both tech giants and governments has terrifying implications for individuals and businesses owned or run by people who do innocent things like follow/read an out of favour blogger, or become hacking victims.
This matters now - as much as pushing back against te teriti overreach- or matters more, because can you imagine a world where Debbie nga rewa packer is in charge of your access to the digital world?
National has a habit of building systems for others to misuse - as in when Key smuggled Sharple to New York to sign the voluntary UNDRIP which morphed under Labour to He PuaPua
Don’t worry, the Uniparty only has your very best interests in mind!
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