Brent Carey

Biography

Brent Carey is Chief Executive of Netsafe, New Zealand’s independent online safety charity, and a technology governance leader working at the intersection of digital rights, artificial intelligence, online safety and public policy.

Founded in 1998, Netsafe operates New Zealand’s national online harm helpline and has served as the government-appointed Approved Agency under the Harmful Digital Communications Act since 2016. Its frontline experience informs research, education, technology innovation and policy responses to emerging digital harms, including scams, online abuse and AI-enabled threats.

A former Domain Name Commissioner, Brent brings extensive experience across privacy regulation, ombudsman services, anti-corruption and technology governance in New Zealand and Australia. He helped establish the Global Anti-Scam Alliance’s Oceania Chapter, contributes to international child protection through INHOPE, and supports digital safety partnerships across the Pacific.

Under his leadership, Netsafe has advanced practical applications of AI for public protection, including Re:Scam.org, recognised through the World Economic Forum’s MINDS initiative. Its research also examines young people’s experiences of generative AI and emerging online harms.

A member of Te Āti Awa iwi, Brent brings an Asia-Pacific and Indigenous perspective to international technology governance. His interests include platform accountability, AI governance, digital trust and ensuring that the experiences of smaller nations and affected communities inform global technology policy.