This policy outlines the obligations that McElroys has in managing the ‘Personal Information’ that it collects and holds.

In this Privacy Policy, ‘Personal Information’ means information relating to an individual which can be used to identify that individual.

McElroys is also bound by the Privacy Act 2020 (Privacy Act), and the privacy principles set out in that Act. You can find out more about the Privacy Act and the privacy principles at www.privacy.org.nz.

McElroys may collect Personal Information from:

•  Clients, potential clients and their employees;
• Business associates
• Suppliers and their employees;
• Prospective employees, employees and contractors; and
• Other people who come into contact with a member of McElroys.

In general, the type of Personal Information that McElroys will collect includes (but is not limited to):

• Name
• Address
• Copies of documents that confirm name and address (such as a photocopy of a driver’s licence, and a rates demand showing name and address)
• Other contact details such as phone number and email address
• Occupation
• Other information which can help us conduct out business, provide and market our services, and meet our legal obligations.

McElroys collects Personal Information in order to conduct its business as a law firm, to provide and market its services and to meet its legal obligations.

Personal Information in generally collected from information collected from emails, face-to-face meetings, interviews, business cards and telephone conversations.

Due to the nature of its business, McElroys may be provided with Personal Information about an individual from a third party, such as an insurer who engages McElroys to provide legal services in relation to an insurance case involving the individual.

McElroys generally uses and discloses your Personal Information for the following purposes:

• To conduct its business;
• To provide and market its services;
• To communicate with clients;
• To purchase from vendors;
• To comply with its legal obligations; and
• To help manage and enhance its services.

McElroys may use and disclose Personal Information for the primary purpose for which it is collected, for reasonably expected secondary purposes which are related to the primary purpose and in other circumstances authorised by the Privacy Act.

McElroys may disclose Personal Information to:

• Other companies or individuals who assist McElroys in providing services or who perform functions on their behalf (such as mailing houses, specialist consultants and barristers);
• Court, tribunals and regulatory authorities; and
• Anyone else to whom the individual authorises them to disclose it.

McElroys may also obtain Personal Information from these organisations and individuals, and deals with that information in accordance with this Policy.

The Privacy Act requires McElroys to take reasonable steps to protect the security of Personal Information. McElroys’ personnel are required to respect the confidentiality of Personal Information and the privacy of individuals, which means that we will not use this information except as outlined above.

McElroys takes reasonable steps to protect Personal Information held from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These steps might include keeping the information in a safe place (such as a secure storage unit), and restricting access to electronic records.

Where McElroys no longer requires Personal Information for a permitted purpose under the Privacy Act, we will take reasonable steps to destroy it, such as using document destruction services.

McElroys endeavours to ensure that the Personal Information it holds is accurate, complete and up-to-date. We encourage individuals to contact McElroys to update any Personal Information held about them.

An individual has the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about them, and to ask for it to be corrected if they think it is wrong. If an individual would like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, it can contact us at mcelroys@mcelroys.co.nz, or 09 307 2003, or Level 15, 45 Queen Street, Auckland 1010.

McElroys will require an individual to verify his or her identity and specify what information he or she requires. A reasonable fee may be charged for providing access. McElroys will advise the individual of the likely cost in advance.