1. Introduction and Scope

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) explains how OWAYKI (hereinafter referred to as “we,” “us,” or “the Company”) collects, uses, maintains, and discloses information collected from users (“you” or “User”) of the owayki.com website and any related services (collectively, the “Site”).

We are committed to providing robust protection for your personal information in a transparent manner, in full compliance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and its underlying Information Privacy Principles. This Policy forms an integral part of our Terms of Service. By accessing and using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the data processing practices described in this Policy.

2. The Information We Collect: A Multi-faceted Approach

We collect information to provide you with a seamless, personalized, and efficient experience. The information we collect can be categorized as follows:

2.1. Information You Voluntarily Provide
This is information you knowingly and actively provide to us when you perform certain actions on our Site. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Identity & Contact Information: Your full name, email address, shipping and billing addresses, and telephone number when you create an account, place an order, or subscribe to our newsletter.
• Transactional Information: Details about payments to and from you, and other details of products you have purchased from us. Please Note: We do not store full payment card details; this information is securely encrypted and processed by our third-party payment gateways.
• Profile Information: Your username, password, purchase history, product interests, and preference settings.
• Communications Information: Any information you provide when you contact our customer support, participate in surveys, or submit product reviews and feedback.

2.2. Information We Automatically Collect
As you browse and interact with our Site, we may use automated data collection technologies to gather certain information about your device, browsing actions, and patterns. This is essential for ensuring site security, performing data analysis, and optimizing your user experience. This data includes:

• Technical Data: Your Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system, and platform.
• Usage Data: Information about how you use our Site, such as the pages you visit, the time spent on those pages, the links you click, and referral source data. This information is typically collected in an aggregated, non-personally identifiable format.
• Location Data: We may infer your approximate location from your IP address to provide you with a personalized experience, such as displaying prices in your local currency.

2.3. Information from Third-Party Sources
We may receive information about you from third parties (e.g., social media platforms, if you choose to interact with us through them, or advertising partners), which helps us understand user demographics and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.

3. The Purpose and Utility of Your Information
   We do not collect information arbitrarily. Every piece of data has a specific, legitimate purpose aimed at enhancing the service we provide to you and ensuring the integrity of our operations. Our primary uses include:

• To Fulfill Our Contractual Obligations: To process and deliver your orders, manage payments, and provide you with order confirmations and shipping updates. This is the foundational use of your Identity, Contact, and Transactional Information.
• To Optimize and Personalize Your Experience: To utilize your Profile Information, Usage Data, and Technical Data to customize our Site’s content and product recommendations to better align with your interests, making your journey “from city to wilderness” more relevant and engaging.
• For Data Analytics and Strategic Business Improvement: To analyze aggregated data to gain insights into market trends, assess product popularity, and make informed decisions for our business strategy. This enables us to innovate and consistently provide the high-quality gear our community expects.
• For Marketing and Communications (With Your Consent): Where you have given your explicit consent, we will use your contact details and profile information to send you our “Explorer’s Dispatch,” which includes new product launches, exclusive offers, and brand stories. You retain full control and can opt-out at any time via the “unsubscribe” link in every email.
• For Security, Fraud Prevention, and Legal Compliance: To protect our Site, our business, and our customers from fraudulent activities and to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure:
   Your trust is paramount. We never sell your personal information. We only disclose your information when necessary to a select group of trusted third-party service providers who act as our “data processors” under strict contractual obligations. They are only permitted to use the information to perform the specific services we have engaged them for. This ecosystem includes:

• Core Operational Partners: E-commerce platforms (e.g., Woocommerce), payment gateway providers, and logistics and shipping companies that are essential to the operation of our online store.
• Technology and Marketing Partners: Analytics service providers (e.g., Google Analytics) and advertising platforms (e.g., Meta, Google Ads) that help us measure campaign performance and deliver targeted advertising to interested audiences.
• Legal and Professional Advisors: In the course of providing professional services, such as lawyers or accountants.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be part of the transferred assets. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our Site of any change in ownership.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information to public and government authorities if required by law, subpoena, or other legal process.

5. Cookies, Pixels, and Tracking Technologies
   This Site utilizes cookies and similar technologies (such as tracking pixels) to function effectively and provide a superior user experience. These are small data files stored on your device. We categorize them as follows:

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: Essential for you to browse the website and use its features, such as adding items to your cart.
• Performance & Analytics Cookies: Collect information about how you use our Site, helping us to improve its performance.
• Functionality Cookies: Enable the Site to remember choices you make (like your username or region) and provide enhanced, more personal features.
• Advertising & Targeting Cookies: Used to deliver advertisements more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
  You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. However, please note that disabling certain cookies may impact the functionality of the Site.

6. Data Security and International Transfers
   We implement commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.
   As a global brand, your personal information may be processed and stored in jurisdictions outside of New Zealand where our service providers are located. When we transfer your data internationally, we will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to afford your data a level of protection that is substantially similar to that provided under the New Zealand Privacy Act.
7. Data Retention
   We will retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Unless you request its deletion, order-related information will be retained as part of our business records.
8. Your Rights and Choices
   In accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Request the correction of any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request the deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal obligations.
  To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer. We will respond to your request in a timely manner, in accordance with applicable law.

9. Policy Amendments
   We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Effective Date.” We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
10. Contact Us
    For any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy, please contact us via the following means.