This Privacy Policy outlines how Tauranga Times, operated by Scholastica Media, manages personal information collected through our interactions with you. Our objective is to safeguard your privacy while ensuring we can deliver accurate and timely news to the Tauranga community.
The policy details the types of information gathered, its purpose, and your rights concerning that data. This document was last updated in March 2026.
Tauranga Times is an independent news publication operating within New Zealand. Our operations are governed by Scholastica Media, located at https://scholastica.com/.
We produce editorial content focusing on local news and events relevant to Tauranga and the broader Bay of Plenty region. Our editorial team comprises professional journalists and reporters dedicated to factual reporting.
We collect various types of information depending on your interaction with Tauranga Times. This information is gathered directly from your activities on our website or through specific communications.
When you browse taurangatimes.co.nz, our servers automatically record certain information. This includes your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring pages, and the times of your visits.
This data is used to understand website traffic patterns and to diagnose technical issues. We do not attempt to identify individual users from this information.
If you subscribe to any of our services, such as a premium content offering, we collect necessary billing and contact details. This typically includes your name, email address, physical address, and payment information.
This information is essential for processing subscriptions and providing access to exclusive editorial content. Financial data is handled by secure third-party payment processors.
When you sign up for our newsletter, we collect your email address. This is used solely for sending you periodic news updates and editorial highlights from Tauranga Times.
You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time using the link provided in every email.
If you contact us via email, submit feedback, or provide news tips, we collect the information you provide. This may include your name, email address, and the content of your message.
This data helps our editorial team respond to your inquiries and investigate potential news stories. We treat all communications with confidentiality.
Tauranga Times may display advertisements. Information related to ad impressions and clicks may be collected by third-party advertisers or ad networks. This typically involves non-personally identifiable data.
We do not share your direct personal information with advertisers. Advertising practices are subject to the privacy policies of the respective ad providers.
The information we collect serves several purposes aimed at delivering our news service and improving your experience.
We use collected data to operate, maintain, and enhance our website and content. This includes personalizing content and features.
We also use information to communicate with you, process transactions, and respond to your requests. This could involve sending service announcements or administrative messages.
Aggregated, non-personal data assists us in conducting analytical research into reader demographics and site usage. This helps us make informed editorial and technical decisions.
Tauranga Times maintains a strict policy regarding the sharing and sale of personal data.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
Information may be shared with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website or conducting our business, such as hosting providers or payment processors. These parties are bound by confidentiality agreements and are only authorised to use your data as necessary to provide their services.
We may also disclose information when legally required to do so, for example, in response to a court order or subpoena. This includes complying with legal obligations under New Zealand law.
Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help remember preferences or session information.
We utilise both session cookies, which expire when you close your browser, and persistent cookies, which remain on your device for a set period.
Cookies help us analyse web traffic, track user interactions, and deliver relevant content. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Declining cookies may affect certain website functionalities.
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
The specific retention periods vary depending on the type of data and its purpose. For instance, subscription data is kept for the duration of the subscription and a reasonable period thereafter for administrative records.
Non-identifiable analytical data may be retained for longer periods to observe long-term trends and patterns.
Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, you have specific rights regarding your personal information.
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. We will provide this information in an accessible format, subject to verification of your identity.
You may request that any inaccurate or incomplete personal data we hold about you be corrected. Our editorial team aims for accuracy in all operations.
You can request the deletion of your personal information where there is no longer a legitimate reason for us to retain it. This right is subject to certain legal exceptions.
You have the right to request a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format for transfer to another service.
You may object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances, such as for direct marketing purposes. We do not engage in extensive direct marketing.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details provided below.
This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of New Zealand, specifically the Privacy Act 2020 and its 13 Information Privacy Principles.
The regulatory body responsible for overseeing privacy compliance in New Zealand is the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
If you believe your privacy rights have been breached, you may complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Their website is privacy.org.nz, and their contact number is 0800 803 909.
Tauranga Times may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.
Any revisions will be posted on this page, and the "Last updated" date at the top of the policy will be amended. We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information.
For any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Privacy Officer.
You can reach us via email at privacy@taurangatimes.co.nz. We will endeavour to respond to your inquiries promptly.