Privacy
Privacy Policy
How we collect, use and protect your personal information, and the rights you hold under the Privacy Act 2020.
The St Thomas More Liberal Arts Charitable Trust ("the Trust", "we", "us") respects the privacy of everyone who engages with our work. This policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we protect it, and the rights you hold under the Privacy Act 2020.
Information we collect
We collect only what we need to run our programmes and keep in touch with you. This may include:
- Your name, email address and phone number when you contact us, register for an event, or subscribe to updates.
- Registration details for courses, lectures, the Liberal Arts Intensive and other events.
- Parent or guardian details and consent forms for participants under 18.
- Information relevant to the safety and wellbeing of participants, such as medical or emergency contact details, where you choose to provide them.
- Donation and payment records.
- Photographs and video taken at our events.
- Basic website usage data collected through cookies and analytics.
Where we receive information about you from someone else, such as a parent registering a child or a partner organisation co hosting an event, we will let you know as soon as practicable, unless an exception under the Privacy Act applies.
How we use your information
We use your information to:
- Administer registrations, courses and events.
- Respond to your enquiries.
- Send newsletters and event updates, where you have asked to receive them.
- Process and acknowledge donations.
- Meet our safeguarding responsibilities and legal obligations.
- Understand how our website is used so we can improve it.
We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information. We share it only where needed to deliver a programme (for example, with a venue or co host), where you have agreed, or where the law requires it.
Payments and donations
Payments and donations made through our website are processed securely by Stripe. Your card details are entered directly into Stripe's systems and are never seen or stored by the Trust. We receive only the information needed to confirm and record your payment, such as your name, email address and the amount paid. Stripe's handling of your information is governed by its own privacy policy, available at stripe.com/privacy.
Children and young people
Many of our programmes serve students under 18. For these participants:
- A parent or guardian provides consent before participation.
- Communication is managed through the parent or guardian. We do not collect or share student contact details for general communication.
- Information is handled in line with our Child Protection Policy and the safeguarding standards of the Diocese of Christchurch.
Photographs and video
We take photographs at events to record and share the life of the Trust. We focus on activity rather than individuals. Images of anyone under 18 are only taken and used with written parental consent, which states how images may be used and may be withdrawn at any time. We do not use AI tools to process or alter images of minors. Images are stored securely, reviewed regularly, and permanently deleted when no longer needed.
If you would prefer not to be photographed at an adult event, please let a member of our team know on the day.
How we protect your information
Personal information is stored on password protected systems with access limited to authorised Trust personnel. Our online accounts use two factor authentication where available. Sensitive records, such as consent forms and safeguarding documents, are held separately from general event material.
Our website is built and hosted on Lovable, and payments are processed by Stripe. These providers may store data on servers outside New Zealand. We use them because they maintain security protections comparable to those required under New Zealand law.
How long we keep it
We keep personal information only as long as it is needed for the purpose it was collected, or as required by law. Consent records for participants under 18 are retained for the period recommended under New Zealand privacy and safeguarding practice.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies to function properly and to gather anonymous statistics on visits. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features of the site may then work less well.
Your rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020 you may ask to see the personal information we hold about you and ask us to correct it. You may unsubscribe from our emails at any time using the link in each message or by contacting us.
If something goes wrong
If a privacy breach occurs that is likely to cause serious harm, we will notify the people affected and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, as the law requires.
Contact us
For any privacy question, request or concern, please contact our Privacy Officer:
Privacy Officer: Paco Mones-Cazon
Email: dean.mischewski@gmail.com
Website: www.stmtrust.org.nz
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.org.nz.