Declassification: What is it and what does this mean for my agency?

Declassification includes reassessing how information is protected and – if appropriate – the release of that information.
For agencies who protectively mark information, e.g. with SECRET this results in a change to the protective marking. Not many agencies do this.
But everybody declassifies information (even if you don’t call it declassification), e.g. when responding to OIA requests.

We got lots of feedback that it isn’t helpful to think of declassification only in terms of national security information.
Agencies were clear that all agencies already makes assessments about whether to release information as part of their obligations under the Privacy Act, Official Information Act and the Public Records Act.
The scope the declassification guidance document was broadened to consider all the key ways through which information can released.

If your agency doesn't hold highly classified information, you don’t need to do anything new. However, the guidance may highlight some areas where you can improve your current practices around declassification and releasing information.
If your agency holds archived classified information AND this information is of public interest, then you should consider establishing a declassification programme. The guidance gives some suggestions for how you might go about this. It also includes a policy template which agencies may find useful.
Note that not all archived classified information is of public value. If something isn’t of public value there is no reason to proactively declassify it.

Setting up a declassification programme could be quite resource intensive if your agency hold large quantities of archived classified material. The programme resources allocated should be commensurate with the value that declassification will deliver to New Zealand.
Agencies that are considering setting up a declassification programme may need to secure funding before they can proceed with a declassification programme.