Privacy Policy – BOP Vinnies

Last Updated: 4 December 2025

The St Vincent de Paul Society – Western Bay of Plenty (“BOP Vinnies”, “we”, “our” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and protect your personal information when you use our website (www.bopvinnies.co.nz) or interact with our services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide to Us

We may collect personal information when you:

• Contact us through our website, by email or phone
• Request assistance or support
• Apply to volunteer with us
• Make or enquire about a donation
• Sign up for updates or newsletters (if offered)

This information may include:

• Name
• Contact details (email address, phone number, postal address)
• Details about your situation if you request help (only what you choose to share)
• Donation details (amount, date and method of donation – but not full card numbers if paid via a secure payment provider)
• Volunteer information (availability, interests, experience)

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect some technical information such as:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device type
• Pages visited and time spent on the site
• Referring website (if any)
• Cookies and similar technologies

This helps us understand how people use our website so we can improve it. This information is generally collected in an aggregated, non-identifying form.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use your personal information to:

• Respond to your enquiries and requests for help
• Provide our community support, foodbank and other assistance services
• Manage volunteer applications, rosters and communication
• Process and acknowledge donations
• Send information or updates you have asked to receive
• Improve our website and services
• Meet our legal, reporting and safeguarding obligations

We only collect and use personal information where it is reasonably necessary for our charitable work.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (New Zealand)

We handle personal information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. In general, we collect personal information:

• Directly from you, with your knowledge
• For a lawful purpose connected with our work
• Only to the extent that it is necessary for that purpose

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade or rent your personal information.

We may share information only in the following situations:

• Service providers: With trusted organisations that help us operate our website, process donations or provide IT/support services, under agreements that require them to protect your information.
• Partner agencies: If we refer you to other community or support agencies to better assist you. Where practical, we will discuss this with you first.
• Legal and safety: Where required or permitted by law, or to protect the safety, rights or property of you, others or BOP Vinnies.

5. Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences and to understand how our site is used. We may use standard analytics tools to help us improve the website.

You can choose to disable cookies in your browser settings. However, some parts of the site may not function properly if cookies are turned off.

6. How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable steps to keep your personal information safe, including:

• Using secure systems and password protection
• Limiting access to authorised staff and key volunteers only
• Training our people about privacy and confidentiality
• Using secure communication methods where practical

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

7. Your Rights

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

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of any information that is incorrect or incomplete
• Withdraw consent to receive optional communications from us

If you would like to exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before we can respond.

8. Retention of Information

We keep personal information only for as long as it is needed for the purpose it was collected, or to meet legal and reporting requirements. When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete or anonymise it.

9. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to other websites (for example, partner agencies, supporters or information sites). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third-party sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any websites you visit.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our services are primarily directed at adults and families. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 without the consent of a parent or guardian. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information without consent, please contact us so we can remove it.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology or legal requirements. The updated version will be posted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns or requests about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us:

BOP Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul – Western Bay of Plenty)
Support Centre (behind the Vinnies Shop)
766 Cameron Road
Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112
Phone: (07) 578 3814
Email: helpfrombopvinnies@gmail.com

We are here to help and will do our best to respond to your enquiry promptly and respectfully.