Last updated: 31st December 2025

Te Ara Hikoi / Predator Free Franklin (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal information with care, respect and transparency. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information, and your rights under New Zealand law. We comply with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and align with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles as a matter of best practice and future-proofing.

Who we are

Te Ara Hikoi / Predator Free Franklin is a community-led initiative supporting predator control, environmental restoration, and protection of native wildlife across the Franklin rohe. Contact us: Email: contact@tearahikoi.nz Website: www.tearahikoi.nz

What personal information we collect

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our work. This may include:

• Your name

• Your email address

• Your general location or community (if provided)

• Information you voluntarily provide through forms, event registrations, surveys or direct contact

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information.

How we collect your information

We collect personal information when you:

• Subscribe to our newsletter or mailing list

• Complete a form on our website

• Register for and/or attend an event, training or activity

• Receive tools, equipment or resources from us

• Contact us by email or social media

• Provide feedback or participate in surveys

Where possible, we collect information directly from you.

Why we collect your information

We collect and use personal information to:

• Send newsletters and community updates

• Share information about events, resources and opportunities

• Support community engagement and participation

• Improve our communications and services

• Meet legal, reporting and funding obligations

We only use personal information for the purpose it was collected, or for closely related purposes you would reasonably expect.

Legal basis for processing (NZ & GDPR)

Under the Privacy Act 2020, we collect and use personal information only where it is lawful, fair and necessary. Under GDPR principles, our lawful bases for processing may include:

• Consent – you have actively opted in (e.g. subscribing to emails)

• Legitimate interest – for community engagement and organisational communication

• Legal obligation – where we are required by law

You may withdraw your consent at any time.

How we store and protect your information

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access or disclosure. This includes:

• Secure digital storage systems

• Restricted access to authorised team members only

• Use of reputable third-party service providers (such as email platforms)

• Regular review of data handling practices

While no system is completely secure, we work to minimise risk and respond promptly to any privacy concerns.

Sharing your information

We do not sell, rent or trade personal information. Your information may be shared only:

• With trusted service providers who support our operations (such as newsletter platforms), solely for that purpose

• Where required by law, regulation or legal process

Any third-party providers we use are required to safeguard your information and use it only as authorised.

Overseas storage and processing

Some of the tools we use may store data on secure servers outside New Zealand. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure that comparable privacy protections are in place and that providers meet recognised international data protection standards.

Website comments and spam protection

If comments are enabled on our website and you choose to leave a comment, we may collect the information shown in the comments form, as well as your IP address and basic browser information. This information is used solely to help with moderation, spam detection and website security.

Embedded content from other websites

Our website may include embedded content such as videos, images or articles (for example, from YouTube or social media platforms). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the same way as if you visited those websites directly. These sites may collect data about you, use cookies, or track your interaction with embedded content according to their own privacy policies.

Cookies and website analytics

Our website may use cookies and basic analytics tools to understand how visitors use the site and to improve functionality. This information is:

• Aggregated and anonymised where possible

• Not used to personally identify individual visitors

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.

How long we keep your information

We keep personal information only for as long as it is needed for the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law. When information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised.

Your rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you

• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

• Withdraw consent and unsubscribe from communications at any time

• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)

To exercise these rights, please contact us.

Unsubscribing from communications

All emails we send include an unsubscribe link. You can unsubscribe at any time and we will stop sending communications as soon as reasonably practicable.

Complaints

If you believe we have not handled your personal information appropriately, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue. You also have the right to complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (New Zealand): www.privacy.org.nz

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most current version will always be available on our website.

A final word

Trust and transparency are core to our kaupapa. We respect your privacy as much as we respect the environment we work to protect.