Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 30, 2024

At Kerigold Chalets, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, make a booking, or stay at our accommodation in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Make a reservation or booking
• Contact us via phone, email, or our website
• Subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications
• Complete a guest feedback form
• Participate in promotions or surveys

This information may include:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Postal address
• Payment information (credit card details)
• Date of birth (if required for identification)
• Vehicle registration details
• Special requests or preferences

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing behavior, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Date and time of visits

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Booking Management: To process and manage your accommodation reservations
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries, send booking confirmations, and provide customer support
• Service Improvement: To understand how guests use our services and improve our accommodation offerings
• Marketing: To send you promotional materials, special offers, and newsletters (with your consent)
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
• Payment Processing: To process payments and prevent fraudulent transactions
• Guest Experience: To personalize your stay and remember your preferences for future visits

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with:

3.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, including:

• Payment processors (for secure payment transactions)
• Booking management systems
• Email service providers
• Website hosting providers
• Analytics services (such as Google Analytics)

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., court orders, government agencies).

3.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new owner.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
• Secure storage of payment information
• Regular security assessments
• Limited access to personal information by authorized personnel only
• Staff training on data protection practices

However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you use our website
• Improve website functionality
• Provide personalized content

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website.

5.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and choices
• Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing habits to deliver relevant advertisements

6. Your Privacy Rights

Under New Zealand privacy law (Privacy Act 2020), you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Objection: You can object to the processing of your personal information for marketing purposes
• Withdrawal of Consent: You can withdraw your consent for us to use your information at any time
• Data Portability: You can request a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used format

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

7. Marketing Communications

With your consent, we may send you marketing communications about our accommodation, special offers, and promotions. You can opt out of receiving marketing emails at any time by:

• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email
• Contacting us directly to update your preferences
• Updating your communication preferences in your account (if applicable)

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you transactional emails related to your bookings and account.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, such as booking platforms, social media sites, and local attractions. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.

10. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Factors we consider when determining retention periods include:

• The nature of the information collected
• Legal and regulatory requirements
• Potential legal claims
• Our legitimate business interests

Typically, we retain booking information for 7 years for accounting and tax purposes, and marketing consent records until you withdraw your consent.

11. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than New Zealand, particularly when we use international service providers. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
• Sending you an email notification (if you have provided your email address)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

13. Contact Us

14. Privacy Commissioner

If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner:

Office of the Privacy Commissioner
Website: www.privacy.org.nz
Phone: 0800 803 909
Email: enquiries@privacy.org.nz

15. Consent

By using our website, making a booking, or providing us with your personal information, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.