Privacy Policy & Terms of Use:House Church Network New Zealand

 

Effective date: March 30, 2025

 

1. Introduction

Welcome to the House Church Network ("HCN," "we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and providing a safe, transparent experience when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with our community. This Privacy Policy and Terms of Use document explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

  • Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address when you register, donate, or sign up for communications.
  • Payment Information: When you make a donation, our secure payment processors collect necessary financial information. We do not store complete credit card numbers on our servers.
  • Communication Preferences: Your preferences regarding how and when we contact you.
  • Volunteer Information: Skills, availability, and interests when you sign up to serve.

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

  • Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent, and actions taken.
  • Device Information: Type of device, browser, operating system, and IP address.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to enhance your experience and collect analytical data. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
3. How We Use Your Information:

We use your information to:

  • Process donations and provide tax receipts
  • Send communications you've requested
  • Invite you to events and ministry opportunities
  • Improve our website and services
  • Connect you with local house churches Provide discipleship resources
  • Fulfill administrative needs
  • Comply with legal obligations 4.

4. How We Share Your Information

We respect your privacy and do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. We may share information with:

  • Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist with our operations (payment processing, email delivery, website hosting).
  • House Church Leaders: Limited information to facilitate your connection with local house churches.
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect our rights. All third parties are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information and are prohibited from using it for unauthorised purposes.

5. Your Rights and Choices

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

  • Access your personal information Correct your personal information
  • Request deletion of your personal information Opt-out of communications
  • Request a copy of the information we hold about you
  • Withdraw consent for specific processing activities
  • Lodge a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of New Zealand To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

7. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

8. Terms of Use

8.1 Acceptable Use

By using our website, you agree to:

  • Use the site for lawful purposes only
  • Not violate any applicable laws or regulations
  • Not interfere with the operation of the site
  • Not attempt to gain unauthorised access to any portion of the site
  • Not use the site to distribute malware or other harmful content

8.2 Intellectual

Property All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, images, audio, and software, is the property of The House Church Network or our content suppliers and is protected by copyright laws. You may access, download, or print material from the website for your personal, non-commercial use only.

8.3 User Contributions

If you submit content to our site (testimonials, comments, etc.), you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, and distribute such content.

8.4 Disclaimer of Warranties

Our website and its content are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

8.5 Limitation of Liability

The House Church Network shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the website or any content.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy and Terms of Use from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Significant changes will be communicated directly to users where required by law.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, please contact us at: The House Church Network 

11. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy and Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

12. Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.