Why we need information about you

We do this primarily to manage our relationship with you. This relationship might be as a client, visitor, volunteer, donor, or employee.

To provide the best service we can, we collect personal and often health-related information about you, other caregivers and your child or tamariki.

How much information you share with Community Birth Services is up to you. However not sharing some details may mean it is difficult for Community Birth Services to provide its services to you.

Information from other agencies

Community Birth Services sometimes gets additional information about you or your child’s health from other agencies involved in the care of you or your child. We receive this when it is necessary to try and provide a better service for you and your child, especially regarding physical health, mental health, or safety.

Your privacy when you visit us, use our website

If you use or visit the Community Birth Services website, technology may capture additional information which might identify or record information about you.

Storage of information

We store all our data (including your personal information) on a combination of private Community Birth Services-owned secure servers and secure cloud platforms. We protect our data with reasonable and appropriate technical and process controls.

Your consultation notes will be sent to you following all consultations.

At any time, you have the right to ask to see, correct, or provide additional feedback on any information Community Birth Services holds about you, your whānau and your tamariki. All you need to do is ask us and we will provide you with assistance.

You can make a request by calling 022 528 2466 or by emailing lactation@communitybirthservices.org.nz

Please note that Community Birth Services will need to positively identify who you are before any information can be released. Information on children under 16 years of age can only be released to parents or guardians of that child.

We'll respond to your request as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 20 working days after we receive it.

Privacy questions and complaints

Privacy questions and complaints can be made to the Lactation Service Coordinator at lactation@communitybirthservices.org.nz or to the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.govt.nz.

Helpful definitions and links

For further information see the Privacy Act (2020), the Health Information Privacy Code (2020), the Health Act (1956), the HDC Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights Regulation (1996). The statutes can be found at legislation.govt.nz and the Health Information Privacy Code (2020) at privacy.org.nz.