Privacy notice for Govt.nz
This notice explains how and when Govt.nz collects personal information, what we do with it and your right to see or change it.
Purpose
The purpose of this privacy notice is to let users of Govt.nz (the ‘site’) know when we collect personal information and what we do with it.
We do not use, share or transfer personal information in connection with the site except as set out in this notice, or as otherwise set out somewhere on the site (including in terms linking to the site).
Use of personal information
We will only use personal information provided to us for the purpose of:
- administering, evaluating and improving the site
- improving our services
- responding to your feedback and information provided in forms and surveys
- conducting user research if you registered to participate.
No need to disclose personal information
You can use the site — including completing some user research tasks — without sharing any personal information.
Sharing your personal information
You may choose to share personal information with us when you:
- give feedback
- complete survey or feedback forms
- participate in user research.
Do not send us sensitive personal information or include it in feedback forms or surveys.
Feedback you provide
Feedback is important and is used to evaluate and improve the site.
If you provide feedback by email, that feedback is sent to appropriate Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) staff. We may pass on relevant comments to other people within DIA who administer or contribute content to the site. This could include your email address and other identifying information that you have provided.
Survey and feedback forms
If you submit a survey or feedback form to us, it will be sent to appropriate public sector staff.
We may pass on relevant content from that form to other people within DIA, other government agencies or third parties who administer or are participating in the particular project or consultation that the form relates to. This could include your email address and other identifying information.
User research participation
When you register to participate in user research you provide us with your email and contact details.
Only the DIA project team administering the research has access to your registration details.
Information gathered in user research can be from:
- surveys and other tools
- screen interactions (for example, clicking on web links)
- video filming of screen activity
- audio recording of comments.
Research analysis and reports
Only the project team involved in the research has access to the results of the user research data.
All information is anonymised to protect your identity and personal information. That means that you cannot be identified by any comments, quotes, images or location.
Observations, quotes, and insights may be used by DIA and shared with other government agencies for research purposes.
Decide not to participate
If you decide to unregister and not participate in user research, contact the project team by emailing DIAResearch@dia.govt.nz.
Storage and deletion of information
If you provide personal information, it is held securely by DIA and will not be retained once the insights have been documented and is no longer needed.
It may be shared with third-party contractors to the extent necessary for them to administer or work on the site, or to work on special projects with us.
Email addresses are not made available to the public. Unless required by law, we will not disclose the names or email addresses of individuals who provide feedback to us or who provide us with submission forms without their consent.
User research information
Any personal identifying information gathered for user research is stored securely then deleted when the project is completed.
Statistical information and cookies
Statistical information collected
We use Google Universal Analytics to collect statistical information about your visit to help us improve the site. This information is aggregated and does not identify you personally. It includes:
- your IP address
- the search terms you used
- the pages you visited on our site and the links you clicked on
- the date and time you visited the site
- the referring site (if any) from which you clicked through to this site
- your operating system, for example Windows, MacOS
- the type of web browser you use, such as Chrome, Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox
- other things like your screen resolution and the language setting of your browser.
Use of statistical information
The statistical information referred to above can be viewed by site administrators and certain other DIA staff. It may also be shared with other government agencies.
How Google uses data when you use their partners’ sites or apps
Cookies
This site generates persistent session cookies (that is, they have an expiry date and are removed on that date) for the purpose of monitoring site usage.
The cookies do not collect personal information. You can disable them or clear them out of your web browser without affecting your ability to use the site.
Records and disclosure statement
Public records, official information and parliamentary processes
Your emails and contributions to the site may constitute public records and be retained to the extent required by the Public Records Act 2005. DIA may also need to disclose those materials under the Official Information Act 1982 or to a Parliamentary Select Committee or in response to a parliamentary question.
Access and correct your personal information
Your rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to access and ask us to correct any personal information you have provided to us.
Contact us if:
- you would like to access or change your personal information DIA has stored
- you have any concerns regarding your privacy.
DIA may require proof of your identity before being able to provide you with any personal information.
Privacy Officer contact details
The Privacy Officer
Department of Internal Affairs
PO Box 805
Wellington 6140
Phone: +64 4 495 7200
Email: privacy@dia.govt.nz
If you have a privacy complaint about DIA
If you have any concerns about how DIA manages your personal information, you may contact the DIA Privacy Officer with the details above.
If you are not satisfied with our response to any privacy-related concern you may have, you can contact the Privacy Commissioner and make a privacy complaint.
Contact details for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
Utility links and page information
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