At vpnguide.nz we want to be open about how our content is made. We use artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool in our editorial process, but every guide is reworked, fact-checked and edited by a person before it is published. This page explains how that works.
How we use AI
We use AI tools, including Claude, developed by Anthropic, to speed up parts of our work. Typical uses are gathering and organising research, planning the structure of a guide and producing a first draft. AI helps us cover technical subjects thoroughly and keep a large number of pages up to date.
AI is always an aid and never the final word. No text is published in the state it leaves an AI tool.
Our human review
Once a draft exists, an editor takes over. This is where the most important part of the work happens. Among other things, we:
- Fact-check every claim against reliable primary sources, such as providers’ own documentation and audit reports, New Zealand legislation, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Netsafe and the National Cyber Security Centre.
- Correct and remove information that is wrong, out of date or misleading.
- Check prices, plans and features against the provider’s own website, and date them where they are likely to change.
- Rework the language so the guide is clear and easy to read, including for people who are new to the subject.
- Add New Zealand context that an AI tool cannot reliably supply on its own, such as local law, local networks and what is actually available here.
- Make sure the content is original and not copied from other websites.
The goal is that you always get content that is accurate, useful and written for people rather than for search engines.
What we do not use AI for
Security and privacy are subjects where a confident mistake can cause real harm, so we hold a few firm lines:
- AI output is never treated as a source. A claim has to be traceable to a source outside the AI tool.
- We do not publish test results, speeds, prices or audit findings that an AI tool has generated rather than found.
- We do not use AI to write reader reviews, testimonials or quotes.
- We do not enter readers’ emails or other personal information into AI tools.
Images
Some illustrations and featured images on the site may be created or edited with AI image tools. They are there to explain or introduce a topic. They are not presented as photographs of real events, and screenshots of real products are not altered to change what they show.
Why we are open about it
We believe in transparency. Telling you how our guides are made is a matter of trust: you should be able to rely on what you read here and know how it was produced.
We also follow Google’s guidance on helpful, reliable content. Under that guidance, what matters is that content is accurate and made to help people, whether or not AI was involved in producing it. That is the principle we work to.
Fact-checking and responsibility
Everything we publish is covered by editorial responsibility. An editor reviews the material, and we update pages when the facts change, for example when a provider changes its prices, a service launches or closes in New Zealand, or the law is amended. You can read more about the team on our About us page.
Our content is information, not professional advice
Our guides are general information. They are not legal advice, and they are not a substitute for professional IT security advice tailored to your own situation. Always confirm prices and features with the provider before you buy.
Found an error?
We aim to get everything right, but mistakes can still slip through. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know through our contact page, ideally with a link to the page concerned, and we will correct it as soon as we can.
Last updated: October 2026.