Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Vector Group Charitable Trust www.vectorgroup.org.nz

Last updated: August 15, 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how Vector Group Charitable Trust (“the Trust”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information. We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and its principles.

By providing us with your personal information, you consent to its collection, use, and disclosure as described in this policy.

1. Collection of Personal Information

We collect personal information that is necessary for us to carry out our functions and activities as a charitable organisation. The type of information we collect depends on your interaction with us and may include:

• Contact Details: Your name, address, email address, and phone number.

• Donation and Financial Information: Details required to process donations, such as credit card information (which is securely handled) or bank account details.

• Employment and Volunteer Information: Information provided in your CV or application forms if you apply for a job or to volunteer with us.

• Communication Records: Any information you provide to us through verbal communication, email, or written correspondence.

• Website Usage Data: Information collected automatically when you visit our website, such as your IP address, browser type, and location data. This is typically non-identifying unless combined with other information.

2. How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information directly from you through the following means:

• When you fill out forms on our website (e.g., contact forms, donation pages).

• When you communicate with us via email, phone, or in person.

• When you make a donation to us or purchase our products.

• When you apply for a job or volunteer position.

• Through website analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics) that track website traffic and user behaviour.

3. Purpose and Use of Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• To provide you with our services, programs, and initiatives (such as those under the Troppo brand).

• To process and acknowledge donations, issue receipts, and manage our financial records.

• To communicate with you about our work, events, fundraising appeals, and to send you our newsletters.

• To consider your application for a job or volunteer role with the Trust.

• To improve our website functionality, services, and overall communication effectiveness.

• To comply with our legal obligations.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We will not sell, rent, or exchange your personal information with other organisations for their marketing purposes. We may, however, disclose your information to third parties in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us with our operations, such as IT services, data storage, mailing houses, and professional advisors. These third parties are only permitted to use your information for the specific purposes we have instructed them.

• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or a government authority.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, and unauthorised access or disclosure. Our security measures include:

• Storing electronic data in secure, password-protected systems.

• Using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption for all sensitive online transactions, such as donations.

• Restricting physical access to our offices and to hard copies of your personal information.

• Ensuring our staff are trained in privacy protection and are required to respect the confidentiality of your personal information.

6. Website Usage and Cookies

Our website uses cookies and other similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect anonymous data about website usage. Cookies are small text files placed on your device to help the website remember your preferences and improve its functionality.

We use Google Analytics to collect data on how our website is used. This service uses cookies to generate statistical and other information about website use. This information is non-identifying and helps us understand visitor behaviour to improve our site. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

7. Your Rights

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

• Access Your Information: Request a copy of any personal information we hold about you.

• Correct Your Information: Request that we correct any personal information we hold if you believe it is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.

• Withdraw Consent: At any time, you may request to be removed from our mailing lists or withdraw your consent for us to use your personal information.

To exercise these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer using the contact details provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact:

The Privacy Officer Vector Group Charitable Trust, 36 Clydesburn Ave, Te Puke, BOP, 3119, New Zealand. Email: steve@vectorgroup.org.nz Phone: 0274144280