Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 3 October 2025
Last Updated: 3 October 2025

Crester Credit (“Crester”, “we”, “our”, “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and recognised international best practices.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, protect, and store your personal information when you interact with us, apply for finance, or use our website https://crester.co.nz.

1. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:
• Identification details: name, date of birth, driver’s licence, passport, or other identity documents.
• Contact details: email address, phone number, residential and postal address.
• Financial information: bank account details, income, employment details, assets, liabilities, credit history, repayment history, and transaction records.
• Additional information: alternative contacts (for location purposes), citizenship status, marital status, and landlord details.
• Digital information: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, pages visited, cookies, and analytics data.
• Communications: emails, phone calls, forms, and other correspondence.
• Other information you provide during your application or interactions with us.

2. How We Collect Information

We collect personal information:
• Directly from you when you apply for finance, use our website, or contact us.
• From third parties with your consent, such as credit reporting agencies, employers, banks, referees, and landlords.
• Automatically through cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website.

3. Purpose of Collection and Use

We use your personal information for purposes including:
• Assessing and processing finance applications.
• Verifying your identity and meeting anti-money laundering (AML/CFT) obligations.
• Managing your account, repayments, and customer relationship.
• Communicating with you about products, services, and support.
• Conducting credit checks and reporting repayment history to credit bureaus.
• Meeting our legal and regulatory obligations.
• Improving our website, services, and customer experience through analytics.
• With your consent, sending you marketing communications (you may opt out at any time).

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your information on the following grounds:
• Contractual necessity – to provide you with finance and related services.
• Legal obligation – to comply with the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, AML/CFT Act, and Privacy Act.
• Consent – for optional uses such as marketing and non-essential cookies.
• Legitimate interests – including fraud prevention, system security, and service improvements.

5. Disclosure of Your Information

We may disclose your information to:
• Credit reporting agencies for credit checks and repayment reporting.
• Service providers and contractors (e.g., IT, debt collection, analytics, cloud hosting, payment processing).
• Regulators and authorities as required by law.
• Professional advisers (e.g., auditors, lawyers).
• Third parties with your consent, such as where you request us to share your details with another provider.

We will never sell your personal information.

6. Overseas Transfers

Some service providers (such as Google Analytics or cloud platforms) may store or process data outside New Zealand. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in such cases.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixel tags, and similar technologies to:
• Ensure our website functions correctly.
• Analyse usage through Google Analytics and similar tools.
• Improve our services and user experience.

You can disable cookies through your browser. Essential cookies are required for functionality; non-essential cookies are only used with your consent. See our [Cookie Policy] for more information.

8. Your Rights

Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to:
• Access your personal information.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Withdraw consent for marketing or cookies at any time.
• Complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner if you believe your privacy rights have been breached.

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@crester.co.nz.

9. Data Retention

We keep your information only as long as necessary:

• To fulfil the purposes described above.
• To meet legal, regulatory, and financial record-keeping obligations.
• To resolve disputes and uphold our agreements.

When no longer required, data is securely deleted, anonymised, or archived.

10. Security

We take reasonable steps to safeguard your personal information, including:
• Secure servers, encryption, and firewalls.
• Access controls and staff training.
• Monitoring and regular audits.

No system is 100% secure, but we work to ensure your information is protected.

11. Automated Decision-Making

We may use automated credit scoring systems when assessing applications. These tools evaluate credit history, repayment history, and financial details. You may request human review of any decision that significantly affects you.

12. Children

Our services are not intended for people under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. If material changes are made, we will notify you where practical.

14. Contact Us

For privacy queries, access requests, or complaints, please contact:

Privacy Officer
Crester Credit
Email: info@crester.co.nz
Phone: 03 385 4854
Address: 3 Shirley Road, Mairehau, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
Office of the Privacy Commissioner
www.privacy.org.nz