Website Privacy Policy
Whakatāne District Council is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. This Privacy Policy governs the collection, use and disclosure of your personal data by us in connection with this website. It has been prepared in accordance with our obligations and your rights set out in the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
We reserve the right to modify or amend this policy at any time and for any reason. By using this website, you consent to our use of your personal data in accordance with this Privacy Policy (as amended from time to time).
You may browse and access information contained within this website without providing personal information.
What kind of personal data we collect
We collect only the personal data you provide us (including your name, email address, and contact telephone numbers). We may also keep a record of any information that you acquire from us.
Where we collect personal data from
We collect personal data from the following sources:
- By you contacting us enquiring about information on Whakatāne District or anything on this website
- Directly from you when you register and request us to supply you with information or services in connection with this website
- By you conducting transactions through the website
- Indirectly through your use of this website and the services and functionality offered through it
How we use your personal data
We use your personal data for the following purposes:
- Replying to your queries
- Processing your application for registration for use of services or to gain access to information on this website made available only to registered users
- Providing you with information about Whakatāne District
- Providing you with services
- Complying with relevant legislation and regulations
- Any specific purpose which we notify you of at the time personal data is collected
- Processing transactions that you may conduct through the website
We may disclose information about you (including your identity) to a third party if we are requested to do so in the course of a criminal or other legal investigation, or if the Council determines that disclosure is necessary in connection with any complaint regarding your use of this website.
How we store personal data
We store personal data electronically and in paper form. The personal data is kept safe and secure using generally accepted standards of security.
Use of cookies for advertising and analytics
Our website places a cookie on the hard drive of your computer. A "cookie" is a file which allows us to track and target the interests of users. In addition, our website uses third party cookies from Google Analytics for Display Advertisers, including the following features:
- Google Display Network Impression Reporting - which gives us additional insight into who has viewed our paid digital advertising on other websites. This will help us optimise and tailor our advertising.
- DoubleClick Platform integrations & Remarketing with Google Analytics – the integrations between both our web analytics and paid advertising platforms together to give us additional insight. This allows us to tailor our advertising to ensure the right types and offers are shown to you while you are using the internet outside our website.
- Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting - which gives us insight into behaviour information relating to visitor age, gender and interests on an anonymous and aggregate level. This will help us to understand browsing behaviour to give you a better experience whilst visiting our sites.
- Google signals - Used to provide aggregated and anonymized insights into our users' cross device behavior.
Cookies are used to analyse your use of our website and to serve ads when you visit our website. The information we collect and share with third parties through cookies is aggregated and therefore anonymous (it does not include personal information which is likely to identify you). The information may be used to serve you ads in relation to our products when you visit our website and third party websites. Find out more information about Google's Privacy Policy.
While we recommend that users enable cookies on their browsers in order to enjoy all the features of our website, the decision remains in the hands of the individual. Most browsers allow you to control management of cookies, this will be different depending on each user's PC - refer to your browser help menu for further information.
Turning off cookies
Your internet browser should allow you to control the use of cookies. In addition, you can opt-out of Google Analytics Advertising Features or use a browser plugin to opt-out of Google Analytics cookies.
How you can access/amend your personal data
You may access your personal data that we hold by emailing us at information@whakatane.govt.nz. We will provide you with a copy of the personal data we keep about you.
You may request that the personal data we hold about you be corrected by emailing us at information@whakatane.govt.nz. If we agree that your personal data is to be corrected, we will provide you with an amended record.
How long we hold personal data
We will keep your personal data only for as long as necessary to achieve the purpose for which it was collected.
Newsletter subscriptions
When you subscribe to our newsletters, we will only use your personal information for managing your subscription and assessing newsletter effectiveness. You can unsubscribe from any newsletter at any time.
Some of our newsletters are managed using a third-party tool called Campaign Monitor.
Campaign Monitor provides analytics on how people interact with our newsletters (eg, how many subscribers have opened emails or clicked on links). This means that Whakatāne District Council and Campaign Monitor will be able to see your name, email and details about which links in our newsletters you have clicked on.
We only use this information to assess newsletter effectiveness.
Find out more
If you have any queries about this Privacy Policy or personal data we have collected, please contact the Communications and Engagement Manager on 07 306 0500 or email information@whakatane.govt.nz.