Good privacy legislation is a start to projecting a positive image of New Zealand as a home for cloud computing, says Matthews, but it is not enough. "The CloudCode will serve to show that New Zealand is serious about good practice and standards in the cloud," he says. "The CloudCode will help build New Zealand's technology reputation globally."

To fall down on the job would be to entertain "rogue operators", who would further detract from the country's reputation, he says.

The initial phase of the project will decide the structure and approach of the code. This will then be put out for public comment before the detail is filled in.

The steering group will provide "governance and direction" and will be chosen from ICT industry organisations and attendees at an initial workshop, with a representative from the Privacy Commissioner's office.

The steering group will consult with a reference group drawn from a wide range of cloud computing stakeholders and will have two public consultation phases. The first, in November, will be on the overall shape of the code, though there will also be workshops in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch where detail will be discussed. The formal consultation and call for submissions on the detail of the code will be in December.