We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our parishioners, visitors, and website users. This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal information to serve you better and improve our parish services.
- What we collect
- – Name, contact details (email, telephone, postal address)
- – Demographic information (age group, language preference)
- – Website usage data (IP address, pages visited, timestamps)
- – Communications (messages or media you upload via forms)
- How we collect it
- – When you fill in online or paper forms
- – When you subscribe to newsletters or register for events
- – Automatically via cookies and analytics tools
- Why we collect it
- – To respond to inquiries and provide pastoral support
- – To send news, event invitations, and updates
- – To improve our website and services based on usage trends
2. How We Use Your Information
Your personal information is used only for purposes you agree to or as allowed by law.
- To process and respond to your requests
- To manage donations and issue receipts
- To send you parish news, newsletters, and event reminders
- To analyze and enhance website performance
- To comply with legal obligations
3. How We Share Your Information
We respect your privacy and do not sell or rent your data. We may share information in these circumstances:
- With trusted service providers (email platforms, payment processors) under confidentiality agreements
- With regulatory or law enforcement bodies, if required by law
- With our Diocese or Catholic agencies for legitimate parish administration
4. Cookies and Analytics
We use cookies and analytics tools to understand how you use our website and to improve your experience.
| Cookie Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essential cookies | Enable core website functions | Session only |
| Performance cookies | Track page visits and load times | Up to 2 years |
| Functional cookies | Remember language or form preferences | Up to 1 year |
| Third-party cookies | Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) | Up to 2 years |
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.
5. Data Security
We implement technical and organizational measures to protect your data:
- Secure servers and encryption for online forms
- Restricted access to personal data within our team
- Regular reviews of security practices
6. Your Privacy Rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
- Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
To exercise these rights, please contact us (details below).
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary:
- Until the purpose for which it was collected is fulfilled
- As required by legal or accounting obligations
- When no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize your data
8. Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16 without parental or guardian consent. If you believe we have collected information in error, please contact us for removal.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in law or our practices. We will post the revised policy on our website with an updated “Last Reviewed” date.
10. Contact Us
For any questions or requests regarding this policy or your personal information, please contact:
Our Lady of Hope Parish
https://ourladyofhope.org.nz/contact-us/
webmaster@ourladyofhope.org.nz
Last Reviewed: July 2025