Thriving Southland
25 Don Street, Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand
Email: office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz
Website: www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz

Last Updated: October 13, 2025

Introduction
Thriving Southland is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.

What Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:

Information You Provide Directly

• Name and contact details (email address, phone number, physical address)

• Organization or farm details

• Information provided when you sign up for our newsletter

• Details submitted through contact forms or event registrations

• Survey responses and feedback

• Correspondence with our team

Information Collected Automatically

• Website usage data (pages visited, time spent, browser type)

• IP address and device information

• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
  

How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Communication: To send you newsletters, event notifications, and updates about catchment groups and farming initiatives

• Event Management: To register you for workshops, field days, and other community events

• Project Coordination: To connect you with relevant catchment groups and coordinate community projects

• Service Improvement: To improve our website, resources, and services

• Research and Reporting: To conduct surveys and prepare reports on catchment group activities (anonymized where appropriate)

• Funding and Compliance: To meet reporting requirements for our funders, including the Ministry for Primary Industries
  

Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal information based on:

• Your consent (e.g., newsletter sign-ups)

• Legitimate interests in supporting Southland's farming and environmental communities

• Legal obligations and reporting requirements to our funders
   

How We Share Your Information
We may share your information with:

Within Our Network

• Catchment group coordinators in your area

• Other members of your catchment group (with your consent)

• Partner organizations working on collaborative projects
  

Service Providers

• Email marketing platforms (for newsletters)

• Website hosting providers

• Event management platforms
  

Legal and Funding Partners

• Ministry for Primary Industries and other funders (for reporting purposes)

• Government agencies when required by law

• Professional advisors (lawyers, accountants) when necessary

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. 

Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or loss. Security measures include:

• Secure website connections (SSL/TLS encryption)

• Password-protected systems

• Limited access to personal information

• Regular review of security practices

However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Generally:

• Newsletter subscriber information: Until you unsubscribe

• Event registration data: For the duration of the project or program, plus any required reporting period

• Correspondence: As long as reasonably necessary for record-keeping
  

Your Privacy Rights

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you

• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

• Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements)

• Withdrawal of Consent: Unsubscribe from newsletters or withdraw consent at any time

• Complaint: Lodge a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner if you believe your privacy has been breached

To exercise these rights, please contact us at office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz.

Cookies and Tracking
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. Cookies help us:

• Remember your preferences

• Understand how visitors use our website

• Improve website functionality

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website.

Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies

Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact:

Thriving Southland
25 Don Street
Invercargill, Southland
New Zealand

Email: office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz
Phone: 021 466 700

Complaints
If you believe we have breached your privacy, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with:

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