Privacy

We will not collect personal information about you when you visit the Chatham Islands Council website, unless you choose to provide that information to us.

Information collected and stored automatically

When you visit one of our websites, we may use technology solutions such as cookies to provide you with better access to tailored information and services and to better serve you when you return to them. You can choose to disable or delete your cookies. Through Google Analytics 4 (GA4), we collect and store statistical information about your visits, which may include:

• the search terms you used
• the pages accessed and the links you clicked
• the date and time you visited the site
• the referring website (if any) through which you clicked through to our website
• your operating system
• the type of web browser you use
• the make and model number of mobile device used to visit our site.

The information provided is aggregated and identifiers are masked so the information cannot be used to identify individuals. Our internet service providers may also make a record of your visit and log information for statistical purposes. This information is only analysed on a bulk basis for broad demographic content. Individual use is not analysed. We do not attempt to identify users or their browsing activities unless they choose to give us personal information while using our website.

We use a number of third-party data hosting services including, but not limited to Momentive (SurveyMonkey/Wufoo)(external link), Intuit (Mailchimp)(external link), and Hotjar(external link).

In addition to using cookies, we use GA4, a service that provides aggregated reports on website activity. GA4 relies on the use of first-party cookies. For details on what information is collected via these cookies, and how it is stored and used, see Google's privacy policy(external link).

It is important to note that once you follow a link and leave our social media or website you are subject to the privacy and security policies of the website you are visiting. We do not have control over the privacy policies of other websites or social media pages. It is also important to note that we do not use your information for commercial marketing.

Cookies

The website generates persistent session cookies for the purpose of monitoring website usage. The cookies do not collect personal information. You can disable them or delete them from your web browser without affecting your ability to use the website.

If you send us personal information

If you choose to provide us with personal information, i.e. by filling out a form with your personal information and submitting it to us through our website, we will collect, use and retain this to help us get the information you have requested and respond to your message.

We will only share the information you give us with another government agency if your enquiry relates to that agency, or as otherwise required by law. We do not create individual profiles with the information you provide or give it to any private organisations.

In some instances your data is stored by external secure online service providers. We currently use Wufoo for some of our online forms (view Wufoo's privacy policy(external link)). We use Hotjar for online surveys (view HotJar’s privacy policy(external link)).

Site security

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs commercial software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorised attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. 

Except for authorised law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. Unauthorised attempts to upload information or change information on this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable.

Links to other sites

The website has links to other government agencies. In a few cases we link to private organisations, with their permission. Once you link to another site, you are subject to the privacy and security policies of the new site.

Chatham Islands Council does not have control over the policies or content of government or private sites outside of our website that we may link to for public convenience.

Access and correction

You have the rights under the Privacy Act 1993 to access and request correction of any personal information provided to Chatham Islands Council from your use of the website. To request access to or correction of your personal information, please contact us.