Privacy and transparency

Our privacy policy is governed by the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.

On this website we use web measurement tools to collect statistical information about your visit. We use this information to help us understand how people are using regulation.govt.nz and to improve the site. These tools do not identify the individuals using the site. We can see a record of what people do on the site, but not who they are. The information we collect includes:

• Your top-level domain name, for example: .co.nz
• The search terms you use
• The pages you visit on the site and the links you select
• The date, time and duration of your visit
• The site you visited before arriving at regulation.govt.nz
• Your operating system, for example Windows 10, Linux or Mac OS
• The kind of technology you use, for example desktop, mobile, tablet
• The type of internet browser you are using to view regulation.govt.nz for example Firefox or Chrome.

Our site uses temporary cookies (files that a website transfers to your computer) to help balance the load on our servers. These cookies do not collect any personal data and are deleted when you close your browser. You can choose to disable the use of cookies, but this may affect your ability to use some of the site's features and view some content.

This site also uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Inc. Google Analytics uses cookies. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the site is transmitted to, and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google uses this information for the purpose of evaluating how you use this site, compiling reports on site activity, and providing other services relating to site activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. When you use this site you consent to the processing of data about you by Google, in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

In order to improve the security of our IT systems we may use IT monitoring services including monitoring services provided by one or more third parties. If you provide information to the Ministry in electronic form you agree that the information can be monitored for IT security purposes by the Ministry and by any third parties engaged by the Ministry.

Requesting and disclosing your personal information

You have the right to ask us for a copy of the personal information we hold about you. You can also ask for this information to be corrected, if you think it is wrong.

If you would like a copy of your personal information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at:

The Privacy Officer
Ministry for Regulation
PO Box 329
Wellington
or send an email to privacy.officer@regulation.govt.nz  

How we collect information

Information collected directly

The information we collect is provided directly by people or entities, or an authorised representative.

Information collected from another person or agency

This may include us receiving or requesting information from other people or agencies. Any such information will be gathered in compliance with the relevant legislation and any information sharing agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or similar.

Collection by third parties

Where information gathering requires capacity or specialist capability that we don’t have within our organisation, we may from time to time engage a third party to collect information for us. Such information gathering (including about individuals) is subject to standard legal limits relating to privacy, access to private property, and the privacy/security of communications by individuals, among other things.

Any such information gathering must be procured and approved according to our internal processes, clearly setting out the business need and scope of work, and include the expectations and obligations we have of the third party with regard to conduct. That process, and the related activities, are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with the law, our internal policies, and our risk management requirements.

What we do with the information

How we use it

We only use the information we gather to fulfil our functions.

When we share it

We may share information where necessary in order to properly carry out our legislated functions. This information will be shared in accordance with our functions and in compliance with the relevant legislation and any information sharing agreements, MOUs or similar with the other agency. We will take all practicable steps to verify information provided to third parties

We may, for example, share information with:

• a statutory oversight agency or complaints body
• anyone we believe could provide information that is relevant, to undertake our functions
• the Police or another government agency, if required by law (for example to assist with the investigation of a criminal offence), or to report significant misconduct or breach of duty or where there is a serious threat to health or if our staff are threatened or abused, we may refer this to the Police.

How will we protect it?

Information is stored and retained in accordance with our privacy policy and internal information policies, protocols and guidelines, and in compliance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Public Records Act 2005.

Enquiries and complaints

If you have any enquiries about our information gathering activities, or believe we have not acted in accordance with this statement, you should contact us at the following address:

Ministry for Regulation
2 The Terrace
P O Box 329
Wellington 6140

Or by email at hello@publicservice.govt.nz.