Facial Recognition

We’re using facial recognition in up to 25 stores as part of our commitment to keeping our teams and customers safe by keeping previous offenders out.

 What we're doing

As part of our ongoing fight against retail crime, in September 2024 we completed a six month trial of facial recognition in 25 stores across the North Island. We are now waiting on the final results from the independent evaluator who designed and oversaw the trial. For information on the trial, read our press release here.

While we are waiting for the final results, the 25 stores that trialled facial recognition will continue to use the technology in the same manner as they did during the trial.

 

The facts about our use of facial recognition 
Everyone in New Zealand has the right to a safe workplace and a safe place to shop. However, we’re finding the same people keep offending and targeting our stores – even if they’ve previously been trespassed from the store.

We understand people might have concerns about our use of facial recognition. Read our fact sheet that looks at 12 common themes – and the facts about these here.

 

We take privacy very seriously

We’ve been very thorough in ensuring we respect the privacy of our customers. Our trial of facial recognition was designed by a specialist, independent organisation who are now evaluating the final results. We’ve also engaged with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to ensure they’re well briefed and aware of our use of the technology.

You can read our Privacy Impact Assessment Report relating to the continued use of the technology by the 25 trial stores here

 

The following stores are currently using facial recognition:

 

PAK’nSAVE
  • PAK’nSAVE Manukau. 6 Cavendish Drive, Manukau City Centre, Auckland 2104
  • PAK’nSAVE Mill Street. 17 Mill Street, Whitiora, Hamilton 3200
  • PAK’nSAVE Napier. 25 Munroe Street, Napier South, Napier 4110
  • PAK’nSAVE New Plymouth. 53 Leach Street, New Plymouth Central, New Plymouth 4310
  • PAK’nSAVE Ormiston. 1 Bellingham Road, Flat Bush, Auckland 2019
  • PAK’nSAVE Papakura. 331-345 Great South Road, Takanini, Auckland 2112
  • PAK’nSAVE Papamoa. 42 Domain Road, Papamoa Beach, Papamoa 3118
  • PAK’nSAVE Silverdale. 20 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Silverdale 0993
  • PAK’nSAVE Sylvia Park. 286 Mount Wellington Highway, Sylvia Park, Auckland 1060
  • PAK’nSAVE Taupo. 105/131 Ruapehu Street, Taupō 3330
  • PAK’nSAVE Upper Hutt. Gibbons Street, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt 5018
  • PAK’nSAVE Whanganui. 167 Glasgow Street, Whanganui 4500
  • PAK’nSAVE Whangarei. Walton Street, Whangārei 0110 
New World
  • New World Brookfield. 89 Bellevue Road, Brookfield, Tauranga 3110
  • New World Feilding. 42 Aorangi Street, Feilding 4702
  • New World Gate Pa. 948 Cameron Road, Gate Pa, Tauranga 3112
  • New World Kaikohe. 8 Marino Place, Kaikohe 0405
  • New World Levin. 21 Bath Street, Levin 5510
  • New World Mt Maunganui. Cnr Tweed St & Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui 3116
  • New World Pioneer. 179/197 Main Street, Takaro, Palmerston North 4412
  • New World Regent. 167 Bank Street, Regent, Whangārei 0112
  • New World Te Rapa. 751 Te Rapa Road, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3200
How facial recognition works

The video below was created ahead of our trial of facial recognition. The 25 stores that trialled facial recognition will continue to use the technology in the same manner as outlined in this video.