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    Privacy Policy

    Website: Pounamu Guide (www.pounamuguide.com)

    At Pounamu Guide, accessible from www.pounamuguide.com, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document outlines the types of information that is collected and recorded by Pounamu Guide and how we use it.

    If you have additional questions or require more information about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at hello@pounamuguide.com.

    Important Disclaimer & Cultural Notice

    Directory listings and maps represent independent artists, carvers, galleries, and retailers. We do not guarantee or certify mineral authenticity for third-party listings.

    1. Information We Collect

    We collect information directly from you when you interact with our website, as well as automatically through automated tracking technologies.

    A. Information You Provide Directly

    Contact & Submission Forms: When you fill out a form or inquiry on our directory (e.g., submitting a listing, inquiry, or contact message), we collect your name, email address, and any details included in your message.

    Newsletter Subscriptions: If you subscribe to our email updates or newsletter, we collect your email address and preferred name.

    B. Information Collected Automatically

    Log Files & Analytics: We use standard log files and third-party tools such as Google Analytics to gather statistics about visitor behavior. This includes browser types, device information, IP addresses, referring/exit pages, and time spent on pages.

    Map & Directory Location Features: Our directory includes interactive map tools to showcase artists, carvers, galleries, and retailers. While we do not track your precise personal location on our servers, map interactions may collect device IP addresses or general location data subject to the map provider’s privacy terms.

    2. How We Use Your Information

    We use the information we collect in the following ways:

    • To provide, operate, and maintain our guide content and directory features.
    • To display locations, galleries, and carvers on our interactive maps.
    • To respond to your questions, directory submission requests, or general inquiries.
    • To send you email newsletters or promotional updates (only if you opted in).
    • To analyze traffic trends and optimize site performance using web analytics.
    • To prevent fraudulent activity and protect site security.

    3. Cookies and Web Beacons

    Like any other website, Pounamu Guide uses ‘cookies’. These cookies are used to store information including visitors’ preferences, and the pages on the website that the visitor accessed or visited. The information is used to optimize the users’ experience by customizing our web page content based on visitors’ browser type and/or other information.

    Analytics Cookies: Used by Google Analytics to help us understand how users interact with our directory and guides.

    Map Cookies/Scripts: Embedded maps may set session cookies or collect usage data necessary to render location maps and navigation features.

    You can choose to disable cookies through your individual browser options.

    4. Third-Party Services & Links

    Our website features directories, guide links, and interactive maps that link to third-party carvers, galleries, retailers, or external service providers. We do not operate or control these third-party platforms.

    Third-party service providers used on our site include:

    • Google Analytics (Web Analytics)
    • Google Maps / Map Services (Directory Map View)
    • Email Service Provider (Newsletter delivery)

    We strongly encourage you to review the Privacy Policy of every external site you visit via our directory links or map markers. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

    5. Email Communications & Opt-Out

    If you choose to receive our newsletter, we will use your email address to send you periodic guides and updates. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email we send, or by contacting us directly at hello@pounamuguide.com.

    6. Data Protection Rights

    Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

    Access: Request copies of the personal data we hold about you.

    Correction: Request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.

    Deletion: Request that we delete your personal data (e.g., removal from contact forms or newsletter lists).

    Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent to email marketing at any time.

    To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@pounamuguide.com.

    7. Children’s Information

    Another part of our priority is adding protection for children while using the internet. We do not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13 (or 16 in certain regions). If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately at hello@pounamuguide.com and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.

    8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

    We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We advise you to review this page periodically for any changes. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page with an updated “Effective Date”.

    9. Contact Us

    If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us: