Photographing of children without consent creepy & illegal - Matthew Tukaki

The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has weighed in on the photographing of children by a private security firm and said not only that it must stop, but it is a clear breach of the rights of the child. Tukaki went further suggesting that an investigation needs to be launched to ascertain what they have done with the data and imagery they have collected and to be held to account. The Private security company Cityguard has admitted its staff photograph children as well as anyone else involved in incidents they intervene in while on patrol.

“This is an absolute disgrace – no private company should be taking it upon themselves to take photos, without permission, of children. There are words that I could use to describe the practice such as “creepy” but I’ll stick with down right disgusting if not against the rights of the child themselves.” Tukaki

“These private firms are not the Police – and they can damn well stop acting like it. Cityguard need to be held to account because quite frankly what they are doing is against the rights of the child. And the Government has an obligation to protect those rights and in this case Article 8 part 2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, That New Zealand is a member of states clearly: Where a child is illegally deprived of some or all of the elements of his or her identity, States Parties shall provide appropriate assistance and protection, with a view to re-establishing speedily his or her identity. – and I can tell you those children have been stripped of their identity and ownership of it as a result and that is a disgrace” Tukaki said

Tukaki has said the Police should launch an investigation immediately and that the organisation concerned should stand its officers down and account to the public for the mis-use of their perceived powers.