Privacy Policy

This policy explains how TrueHost collects, uses and protects your personal information. TrueHost is a trading name of James Beachen, a sole trader based in New Zealand ("TrueHost", "I", "me"). I handle your information in line with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.

1. Scope

This policy covers the TrueHost website (truehost.co.nz) and my dealings with you as an enquirer or client. It also explains how information about guests is collected and handled on the direct booking websites that TrueHost builds and operates for hosts. Each host remains responsible for their own guests and bookings, and a host's own policies may also apply.

2. What I collect

• Information you give me through the briefing form or by email — such as your name, email address, phone number (if you choose to share it), details about your property, and anything you write in your message.
• Guest booking information — when a guest books a stay through a website built by TrueHost, we collect the details needed to make and manage that booking, including the guest's name, phone number, email address, stay and booking details, and the amount paid. Card payments are processed securely by Stripe; TrueHost does not store full card numbers.
• Usage and technical information created automatically when you use the website — such as approximate location, device and browser type, pages viewed and interactions — collected through analytics and basic server logs.

All of this information is collected and handled in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and other applicable legal requirements.

3. Cookies and analytics

The TrueHost website, and the booking websites we build, use first-party cookies — set by the website you're visiting, not by third-party advertisers — to keep the site working and to measure, through analytics, how visitors and guests use it so it can be improved. We use these cookies in line with applicable legal requirements, and where consent is required we will ask for it first. You can control or clear cookies at any time in your browser settings; some features may not work as well without them. We do not use cookies for third-party advertising.

4. How I use it

• To respond to your enquiry and discuss whether TrueHost is a good fit.
• To provide, build and support the services you ask for.
• To take and manage guest bookings and payments on the websites we run.
• To understand and improve how the websites are used, via analytics.
• To communicate with you about your project, account or booking.
• To keep the websites secure and working properly.

I do not sell your personal information, and I don't send marketing you haven't asked for.

5. Who I share it with

I use a small number of trusted providers to run the service, and only share what's needed for them to do their job:

• Vercel — website hosting and security.
• Stripe — secure processing of guest booking payments.
• Resend — delivering form submissions and notifications by email.

Some of these providers may process data on servers outside New Zealand. Where that happens, I take reasonable steps to ensure your information is handled with comparable protections. I may also disclose information if required by law.

6. How long I keep it

I keep enquiry, client and guest-booking information for as long as needed to provide the service and to meet legal, tax and accounting obligations, after which it is deleted or anonymised.

7. Security

I take reasonable measures to protect your information, including secure (HTTPS) connections and reputable service providers. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, but I work to keep your data safe.

8. Your rights

Under the Privacy Act 2020 you can ask to see the personal information I hold about you and request that I correct it. Just email me and I'll help.

9. Children

This site and service are intended for accommodation owners and operators, and are not directed at children.

10. Changes

I may update this policy from time to time. The version shown here with its "last updated" date is the current one.

11. Contact and complaints

For any privacy questions or requests, email me at james@truehost.co.nz. If you're not satisfied with how I've handled a privacy matter, you can contact the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.org.nz.