Privacy Statement – Stats NZ API Portal 

Effective Date: 22-10-2025

Stats NZ is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. This statement outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information through the Stats NZ API Portal. It does not apply to respondent data collected as part of official Stats NZ surveys. 
Privacy statement for survey data

1. Purpose of collection 

We collect personal information to: 

  • provide secure access to our APIs 

  • monitor usage, performance, and user satisfaction  

  • communicate with users about updates, outages, or changes to the API service and the products users subscribe to 

  • improve our services and user experience. 

2. Information we collect 

When you register or use the API Portal, we may collect your: 

  •  name 

  •  email address 

  •  organisation and job title (optional) 

  •  IP address and browser information 

  •  usage data (e.g., API calls, timestamps). 

We also may use the following third-party analytics tools to collect anonymised data about user interactions: 

Google Analytics – to collect information about how frequently you use the site and which pages you visit. 
Safeguarding your data – Google Analytics

Optimal Workshop – to carry out polls or website-related surveys and collect your feedback. 
Optimal Workshop privacy policy

Microsoft Forms – to carry out polls or website-related surveys and collect your feedback. 
Security and privacy in Microsoft Forms

These third-party tools’ analytics data will not be linked to identifiable individuals. 

3. How we collect information 

We collect information: 

  • directly from you when you register or contact us 

  • automatically through cookies and analytics tools. 

4. Use of information 

Your personal information will only be used for the purposes stated above. We do not use your information for unrelated purposes without your consent. 

5. Disclosure of Information 

We do not disclose personal information to third parties unless: 

  • you have given consent 

  • it is required by law 

  • it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat. 

6. Offshore data storage 

Stats NZ API Portal uses Microsoft Azure cloud services, with data stored in Australia. We ensure that your information is protected by safeguards that meet New Zealand’s privacy standards. 

7. Data security 

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access. This includes secure servers, encryption, and access controls. 

8. Access and correction 

You have the right to: 

  • request access to your personal information 

  • request correction of any inaccuracies to your personal information 

To do so, please contact our Information Centre: 

0508 525 525 (toll-free) 
[email protected]

9. Retention of information 

Stats NZ retains personal information collected through the API Portal only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, in accordance with Information Privacy Principle 9 of the Privacy Act 2020. 

User account information will be retained while the account remains active. If an account is inactive for a period of 12 to 24 months, Stats NZ may notify the user and offer to deactivate or delete the account. If no response is received, the account may be automatically deactivated or deleted. 

Upon account closure or deletion request, personal information will be securely removed unless retention is required for legal, audit, or security purposes. Minimal metadata (e.g., access logs) may be retained for audit and security purposes. 

Stats NZ is committed to regularly reviewing stored personal information and securely disposing of data that is no longer required. 

10. Use of cookies 

The API Portal uses cookies to: 

  • maintain session state 

  • improve user experience 

  • collect analytics data. 

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. 

11. Unique identifiers 

If we assign unique identifiers (e.g., API keys), they are used solely for authentication and usage tracking. We do not use them to link unrelated datasets or with analytics and behavioural data. 

12. Changes to this statement 

We may update this privacy statement from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. 

Contact us 

If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy statement or your personal information, please contact our Information Centre: 
Freephone: 0508 525 525 (New Zealand only) 
Calls from outside New Zealand: +64 4 931 4600 (ext. 2)  
Email: [email protected]