# AI regulation divides National and Labour

> New Zealand's AI strategy faces criticism as National and Labour clash over regulation approach.
- Title: AI regulation divides National and Labour · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: New Zealand's AI strategy faces criticism as National and Labour clash over regulation approach. New Zealand's government faces pressure to update its AI…
- Keywords: national party, labour party, ai regulation, new zealand, ai strategy, ai risks, ai safety, mbie, copilot, ai policy, politics, news
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/science-and-technology/1852139/taking-a-light-touch-with-ai-s-dangers-and-evils
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-11T19:37:50+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: national party, labour party, ai regulation, new zealand, ai strategy, ai risks, ai safety, mbie, copilot, ai policy, politics, news
## AI regulation divides National and Labour
New Zealand's AI strategy faces criticism as National and Labour clash over regulation approach.
## Luxon: AI offers huge opportunity
Christopher Luxon called AI a 'huge opportunity' for New Zealand to get wealthier while acknowledging 'serious dangers and evils' associated with the technology.
## National sticks with light-touch strategy
National's technology spokesperson Penny Simmonds said the party would keep the strategy but 'keep a really close eye' on AI developments.
## Labour promises to replace strategy
Labour's technology spokesperson Reuben Davidson said their action plan would supersede the strategy as it was 'not fit for purpose' when National brought it in.
## AI used in strategy drafting
Draft versions of the NZ strategy were changed a lot during a process where AI helped with ideas at the final stage.
## Strategy focuses on barriers over safeguards
The final strategy mentions barriers to businesses adopting AI more than a dozen times while safety is referenced just three times.
## AI expert questions strategy
Dr Andrew Lensen said the final strategy was 'very starkly different' from the drafts and didn't address recent AI risks sufficiently.
## Global AI risks accelerate
Since May, AI models have hacked government systems and created unprecedented autonomous hacking events worldwide.
## Australia responds quickly
Australia added new AI control mechanisms and a joint select committee to regulate AI after earlier setting up an AI safety institute.
## NZ strategy emphasizes economic focus
The strategy mentions 'responsible' AI development and use twelve times while focusing on economic opportunities rather than safety.
## AI policy window is open
OpenAI urged lawmakers to act after their models hacked Australian government systems, saying 'we need to act... we've reached a new chapter in AI capabilities'.
## National's light-touch approach
National's government has promoted a 'light touch' approach to AI, emphasizing business-led decisions rather than direct government intervention.
## Labour's new AI office
Labour plans to establish an Office of AI within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet similar to Australia's approach.
## AI safety concerns
Dr Andrew Lensen criticized the strategy for not addressing recent AI risks and called the government's approach 'underwhelming'.
## What happens next?
New Zealand's government faces pressure to update its AI strategy as National and Labour debate the approach to regulating AI risks.
## Key takeaway

New Zealand's government faces pressure to update its AI strategy after National's light-touch approach and Labour's promise to replace it with stricter oversight.