Privacy Policy

Buy Local NZ Privacy Policy

Introduction

Buy Local NZ (we, us, our) is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 (the Act). This Privacy Policy outlines the handling of personal information—information that identifies an individual—within the framework of our operations. We operate a community-oriented platform providing both free and paid digital services to enhance the online presence of locally owned businesses in New Zealand.

Our commitment to your privacy does not restrict any of your rights under the Act. For more detailed information on the Act, please visit www.privacy.org.nz.

Changes to this Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time by posting an updated version on our website. Revisions will take effect immediately upon such posting. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed of any changes.

This policy is effective as of October 2024.

Collection of Personal Information

We collect personal information from you through:

• Direct interactions, such as when you register or subscribe on our website, contact us via email or phone, or use our services and products.
• Authorized third parties, or when the information is publicly accessible.

Where feasible, we strive to collect personal information directly from you.

Use of Personal Information

Your personal information is used to:

• Provide and improve the services and products we offer you.
• Market new services and products, including electronic communication such as emails or texts.
• Perform necessary credit checks, if required.
• Process payments and collect debts.
• Respond to your queries or complaints.
• Conduct research and statistical analysis in an anonymized format.
• Protect and enforce our legal rights and interests.
• Fulfil any other purposes for which you have given consent or as authorized by the Act.

Disclosure of Personal Information

We may share your personal information with:

• Service providers that support our business operations (such as IT and system administration services and data hosting).
• Credit reference agencies for credit assessments.
• Third parties where we have anonymized the information.
• Regulatory authorities or law enforcement agencies when required by law.
• Any other entity you have authorized us to engage with.

Please note, some of our service providers may be located outside of New Zealand, which means your personal information may be processed outside of New Zealand.

Protection of Personal Information

We are dedicated to securing your personal information from loss, unauthorized access, or misuse through reasonable security measures.

Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

Under the Act, you have the right to access and correct your personal information held by us. We require sufficient proof of your identity before fulfilling such requests. If you need to access or correct any personal information, please contact us at contact@buylocal.org.nz. We may charge a fee for providing copies of your information or for correcting it, based on the costs incurred by us.

Internet Security

While we endeavour to secure all data transmitted over the internet, the inherent nature of online communications means that the safety of your information cannot be guaranteed. We advise caution when transmitting personal data online.

Cookies

Our website utilizes cookies to enhance user experience and analyse site usage. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features of our website may not function as intended without them.

Contact Us

If you have any concerns or queries regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information’s treatment, please feel free to reach out to us at contact@buylocal.org.nz.

This document reflects our transparency in handling your data and our commitment to protect your privacy while supporting local businesses across New Zealand.