Privacy Policy
Last updated: 9 September 2025
Our Commitment
Search Experts Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and respect. This policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in compliance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
Policy Scope
This privacy policy applies to all users of our online courses, website visitors, and anyone who communicates with us through any channel. By engaging with our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy. We understand the importance of maintaining your privacy and are transparent about our data practices. This policy is designed to provide you with clear information about how we handle your personal information and the rights you have regarding your data.
We regularly review our privacy practices to ensure ongoing compliance with privacy laws and industry best practices. If you have any questions about this policy or our privacy practices, please contact us using the details provided in the “Grievances and Complaints” section.
Collection of Personal Information
We collect personal information directly from you when you interact with our services. This collection is necessary to provide you with our educational services and to maintain our relationship with you as a student or prospective student.
We may also collect information from third parties where you have authorised this or where information is publicly available. Any third-party collection will be conducted in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and only when necessary for our legitimate purposes.
The types of information we collect may include your name, contact details, payment information, educational background, and course progress data.
We also collect technical information about your use of our website through cookies and similar technologies, which helps us improve our services and your experience.
Direct Collection
We collect information when you:
- Register or enrol in our online courses
- Communicate with us via email, phone, or online forms
- Participate in surveys or provide feedback
- Use our website and related services
- Submit assignments or participate in course activities
Automated Collection
Our systems automatically collect:
- IP address and device information
- Browser type and settings
- Course interaction data
- Website usage statistics
Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for specific, legitimate purposes related to providing our educational services and managing our relationship with you.
Verification & Administration
We verify your identity, process payments, and manage course enrolments to ensure smooth delivery of our services.
Service Provision & Improvement
We provide and continuously improve our educational services, personalising content to enhance your learning experience.
Communication
We communicate with you about courses, updates, and promotions, always providing an option to opt out of marketing messages.
Legal Compliance
We comply with our legal obligations, including maintaining records as required by educational and tax regulations.
Disclosure of Your Information
We respect your privacy and only share your information in specific circumstances:
Recipient – Staff and contractors
Purpose of Disclosure – To deliver our educational services
Information Shared – Contact details, enrolment information, course progress
Recipient – Payment processors
Purpose of Disclosure – To process transactions
Information Shared – Payment details
Recipient – IT service providers
Purpose of Disclosure – To maintain our systems and website
Information Shared – Technical data, usage information
Recipient – Regulatory agencies
Purpose of Disclosure – When required by law
Information Shared – Information required for compliance
We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties under any circumstances. Any third parties we share data with are bound by appropriate confidentiality and data protection requirements.
Storage, Security and Your Rights
Storage and Security
Your data is stored securely on our electronic systems with appropriate cybersecurity protections to prevent unauthorised access, use, or disclosure. Our security measures include:
- Data encryption for sensitive information
- Strict access controls limiting staff access to personal data
- Regular security monitoring and threat assessments
- Secure backup systems to prevent data loss
- Compliance with industry security standards
Retention and Deletion
We retain your information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. This typically includes the period of your enrolment plus any additional time required for administrative, legal, or reporting purposes. You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal obligations to retain certain records.
Your Rights
Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, you have important rights regarding your personal information:
- Access your personal information that we hold
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your data (where legally permissible)
- Withdraw consent for marketing communications
- Complain about any breach of your privacy rights
To exercise these rights, please contact us at admin@searchexperts.co.nz. We will respond to your request within 20 working days.
International Users and Policy Changes
International Users
If you are accessing our services from outside New Zealand, you consent to the processing of your information in accordance with this policy and New Zealand law. Please note that your data may be transferred to, stored, and processed in New Zealand, where our servers are located.
When you use our services from outside New Zealand, your information may be subject to both New Zealand law and the laws of your country of residence. Where there is a conflict, New Zealand law will generally apply to our processing of your information.
Cross-Border Data Transfers
We may transfer your personal information to service providers located in other countries to assist with our operations. When we do so, we take steps to ensure that your privacy rights are respected in accordance with this policy and all applicable laws. These steps include implementing appropriate data transfer agreements and ensuring our partners maintain adequate data protection standards.
Changes to this Policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements.
When we make changes:
Policy Update
We review and revise our privacy policy as needed to ensure accuracy and compliance with current laws.
Notification
Significant changes will be communicated to you via email or a prominent notice on our website.
Publication
The updated policy will be posted on our website with the revised date clearly indicated.
Continued Use
Your continued use of our services after the changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.
We encourage you to periodically review this policy to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
The “Last updated” date at the top of the policy will help you determine when it was most recently revised.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or requests concerning your personal information or our Privacy Policy, please contact us at admin@searchexperts.co.nz
By using our website, you agree to our collection and use of your information as outlined above.