At WORD Christchurch, we believe stories are for everyone, but your personal information is yours. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we handle your data in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 (and 2026 updates).
This policy outlines the purposes for which we collect personal information, how we use and disclose it, and your rights in relation to that information.
How We Collect Your Information
We collect personal information directly from you when you interact with us. We only collect personal information that is necessary for our lawful functions and activities.
This primarily happens when you:
Register for our newsletter or enter a competition.
Purchase a ticket through our official ticketing platform.
Note: While we use a third-party provider to process tickets, this platform is managed and controlled by WORD Christchurch. Your data remains under our stewardship at all times.
Purchase a ticket through other ticketing platforms: When you purchase tickets through any other authorised ticketing partners (e.g. Humanitix), they share your name and email with us so we can manage your attendance. This is done where necessary to deliver our services to you. Where practicable and as required by the Privacy Act 2020, we will ensure you are informed that your information has been shared with us.
What Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
Your name and contact details, including email address and phone number
Ticketing and attendance information
Communication preferences
Website usage information (via cookies and analytics tools).
Access or mobility requirements
This information is given on a voluntary basis from you. However, if you do not provide the necessary information (for example, when purchasing tickets), we may be unable to process your booking/request or provide related services.
Electronic Communications: Your Choice
We only send marketing communications to those who want them.
You will only be added to our electronic newsletter list if you actively choose to opt-in (for example, by ticking a box during ticket checkout or via our website).
If you purchase a ticket, we will still send you "transactional" emails related to that specific purchase (e.g., your tax invoice, event reminders, or urgent venue changes).
Every newsletter we send includes a clear, one-click "Unsubscribe" link. You can also contact us at admin@wordchristchurch.co.nz to be removed from our database.
Digital Advertising and Cookies
We use digital tools to help us reach the right audience and understand how our website is used.
We use cookies and tools like Google Analytics to see which pages are popular and how people navigate our site. This data is usually aggregated and anonymous.
We use the Meta Pixel (a piece of code) on our website. This allows Meta to recognise your browser and show you WORD Christchurch advertisements on Facebook or Instagram if you have visited our site.
We may occasionally upload anonymised versions of our email list to Meta to show our ads to our existing supporters or to find "Lookalike Audiences" (people with similar interests). We only do this using the lists of people who have opted-in to our marketing.
You can opt-out of targeted advertising by:
Adjusting your Meta Ad Preferences.
Clearing your browser cookies or using "Incognito" mode.
Filming and Photography at Events
WORD Christchurch festivals are public, documented events. By attending, you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording occur. If you are captured in any of the aforementioned, we will rely on your consent or other lawful basis permitted under the Privacy Act 2020.
By purchasing a ticket or entering the event, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or recorded.
We (or our authorised partners) may use these images and recordings for promotional purposes, including on our website, social media, and in future marketing materials.
If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify our front-of-house staff or the photographer on-site. We will do our best to respect your request (e.g., by seating you in a "no-camera" zone).
We take extra care regarding the privacy of children and young people:
We avoid publishing the names or personal details of minors alongside their photographs without written parental/guardian consent.
We will obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before using a minor’s identifiable likeness in any promotional materials, such as posters, billboards, or paid advertising campaigns.
How We Use and Share Your Data
We use your information to manage your bookings and improve the festival.
We do not sell or rent your personal information.
We provide anonymised, aggregate data (e.g. "40% of attendees were from Christchurch") to our key partners and funders. No individual can be identified in these reports.
We may share data with trusted service providers ( including, but not limited to, our email platform, ticketing platforms and IT service providers) solely to perform tasks on our behalf. These service providers are authorised partners of WORD involved in delivering events.
We will only use your personal information for the purpose for which it was collected or for a directly related purpose, unless otherwise permitted by law.
We will only share information where it is necessary for these purposes and we will require those parties to protect your personal information.
Where practicable and as required by the Privacy Act 2020, we will take reasonable steps to ensure you are aware that personal information is disclosed to another agency.
Security and Storage
Your data is stored securely on our managed ticketing and database platforms. We take all reasonable steps to protect your information from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. In line with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Privacy Amendment Act 2025, we ensure our third-party tools meet New Zealand’s high standards for data protection.
Accuracy, Access and Correction
We will take reasonable steps that the personal information we hold is accurate, up to date, complete, relevant, and not misleading.
You have the right to see the personal information we hold about you and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. We will respond to such requests in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
Privacy Complaints
If you believe we have breached your privacy, you can contact us using the details under “Contact Us” below.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may make a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Contact Us
For any privacy-related queries, please contact our Privacy Officer.
Email: admin@wordchristchurch.co.nz Post: PO Box 29 270, Christchurch 8440, New Zealand
We reserve the right, at our discretion, to update or revise this privacy policy at any time. Changes to this privacy policy will take effect immediately once published on this website. Please check this privacy policy regularly for modifications and updates.
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🇳🇿 WORD Christchurch gets the city buzzing with books, ideas and kōrero. Next festival: 1 - 6 September 2026. Watch out for events through the year!