Privacy Policy
HVAC TOOLS LIMITED and its partners (“HVAC Tools,” “we,” “our,” “us”) are committed to protecting your privacy. We respect and uphold your rights under the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) contained in the Privacy Act 2020 (NZ).
By using our website (hvactools.co.nz) or providing us with your personal information, you agree to the collection, use, holding, and disclosure of your information as set out in this policy.
1. The Information We Collect
Personal Information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or one who is reasonably identifiable.
Identity & Contact – Name, address, email address, telephone number(s), date of birth.
Order & Transactional – Purchase history, product inquiries, order addresses, and related court proceedings (if applicable).
Credit Information – Payment history and identity information related to credit transactions.
Digital – Information collected when you visit our website (e.g., via cookies).
We will only collect information that is reasonably necessary for our functions and activities. We collect information primarily directly from you (e.g., when you make an inquiry or lodge an application). We may also collect information from reputable third-party marketing sources only where you have consented to that disclosure.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the primary purpose for which it was collected, for reasonably related secondary purposes, and for the following activities:
Providing Products & Services: To process orders, deliver goods, and manage services (including products and services offered by our third-party partners).
Internal Management: For administration, internal reporting, and management needs.
Marketing & Communication: For our marketing activities, including sending promotional communications (you may opt out at any time).
Account Management: Assessing, processing, and managing your applications for HVAC Tools products and services.
Legal Compliance: Any use required or authorised by New Zealand law (in line with IPP 10).
3. Privacy and the TradeRewards™ Program
This section outlines how we handle data specifically related to your participation in the TradeRewards™ loyalty program.
3.1. Collection of Program Data: By registering and participating in the TradeRewards™ program, you consent to us collecting and holding specific data necessary for program operation, including:
Earning History: Records of purchases that earned points, including dates, amounts, and products purchased.
Redemption History: Records of points redeemed, including the discount applied and the products purchased with points.
Point Balance and Status: Your current point totals, expiry dates, and membership tier (if applicable).
3.2. Use of Program Data: We use TradeRewards™ data for the primary purpose of:
Program Administration: To accurately calculate, track, award, and deduct points.
Personalisation: To develop and send you personalised offers, rewards, communications, and special promotions related to the program.
Analysis: To conduct internal analysis, research, and reporting to improve our product offerings and the rewards program structure.
3.3. Disclosure for Program Functionality: We may disclose TradeRewards™ data to third-party technology providers or platform managers solely for the purpose of administering, maintaining, or supporting the program functionality, always subject to contractual obligations requiring them to adhere to the IPPs.
4. Disclosure of Your Information
4.1. Non-Sale of Information: HVAC Tools will not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for commercial gain. Your information is used only for the purposes outlined in this policy, including the direct provision of products and services to you.
4.2. General Disclosure We may disclose your personal information to third parties, including:
Service Providers: Third parties we ordinarily engage to assist us in providing products and services (e.g., logistics providers, payment processors, IT support).
Consented Parties: Any person or entity you have specifically consented to us disclosing your personal information.
Legal Requirements: Any person or entity to whom we are required or authorised to disclose information in accordance with New Zealand law.
4.3. Cross-Border Disclosure: We may disclose your personal information to recipients overseas to assist us in providing products or services. We will take reasonable steps to ensure that any information transferred outside of New Zealand will be protected in a way that is comparable to the safeguards under the Privacy Act 2020 (in line with IPP 12).
5. Access, Correction, and Security
Access and Correction: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you or seek correction of it by contacting us (see Section 7) (in line with IPP 6 and 7).
We will not charge you for making an access or correction request.
If we find your information is not accurate, complete, up-to-date, or is misleading, we will amend it within a reasonable time.
Security and Retention: We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure (in line with IPP 5). If we no longer need your personal information for any purpose set out in this policy (or as otherwise required by law), we will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it.
6. Website Usage and Opting Out
Website Security: While we take steps to protect your information, transmitting data over the Internet is never entirely secure. We are not liable for any unintended loss or disclosure of information resulting from a breach of security, other than liability that cannot be lawfully excluded.
Cookies: Our website and services operated by our third-party partners may use cookies to personalise your online experience and improve site functionality. You have the ability to accept or decline cookies through your browser settings.
Opting Out / Unsubscribe: You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time.
Each marketing email we send includes an unsubscribe function. Alternatively, you can opt out by emailing us at [email protected].
Unless you opt out, your consent to receive direct marketing communications from us will continue.
7. Contact and Complaints
If you have questions regarding this policy or wish to make a complaint about a breach of the Information Privacy Principles by HVAC Tools, please contact us at [email protected].
We will address any complaints and respond to your queries in a timely and professional manner. You also have the right to complain to the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner.
8. Miscellaneous
Policy Amendments: We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy in whole or in part from time to time without notice. Amendments will be effective immediately upon posting the amended Privacy Policy on the HVAC Tools website.