Privacy policy

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Meld Essentials ("we", "us", "our") operates this store and website, including all related content, features, tools, products, and services (the "Services"). Meld Essentials is powered by Shopify, which provides the underlying e-commerce platform.

This Privacy Policy sets out how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 when you visit, use, make a purchase from our store, or otherwise communicate with us.

1. Personal Information We Collect

We collect personal information that identifies or can reasonably be linked to you. Depending on how you interact with our Services, we may collect:

Contact Information: Your name, billing address, delivery/shipping address, phone number, and email address.
Financial Information: Payment details, transaction details, payment card confirmations, and payment methods (processed securely via our payment gateways).
Order & Account Information: Details of products you view, add to cart, purchase, exchange, or return, as well as your order history and customer account details.
Customer Communications: Information you provide when contacting customer support, submitting reviews, or making inquiries.
Device & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, network connection, device identifiers, and information about how you navigate and interact with our website (collected automatically via cookies and tracking technologies).

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information directly from you or automatically through your use of our site:

Directly from you: When you create an account, place an order, subscribe to a newsletter, fill out a contact form, or communicate with us.
Automatically: Through cookies, log files, and web beacons as you browse our online store.
From Service Providers: From external partners that support our business operations, such as payment gateways, shipping integrators, and analytics tools.

3. How We Use Your Personal Information

We collect and use your personal information only where necessary for lawful business purposes connected to our functions, including:

Order Fulfilment & Service Delivery: To perform our contract with you, process payments, arrange shipping, fulfil orders, process returns or store credits, and send order updates.
Customer Support: To respond to inquiries, resolve issues, and maintain clear business communications.
Marketing & Advertising: To send promotional updates, newsletters, or special offers (where you have opted in) and to present relevant online advertising.
Fraud Prevention & Security: To authenticate transactions, protect against fraudulent or unauthorised activity, and secure our online store.
Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws, respond to requests from government or law enforcement agencies, and protect our legal rights.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may share your personal information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business:

Shopify: Our store is hosted by Shopify, which processes personal data to enable core e-commerce features.
Fulfillment & Shipping Partners: Couriers, postal partners, and multi-carrier shipping aggregators to deliver your orders.
Payment Processors: Secure payment gateways to process transactions safely.
Marketing & IT Providers: Third-party vendors supporting data storage, website analytics, and email delivery.

We do not sell your personal information. We only disclose information to third parties as authorized by you, required by law, or necessary to carry out your requests.

5. International Transfers & Overseas Data Storage

Because our store is powered by Shopify and utilises cloud-based service providers, your personal information may be transferred to, stored in, or processed on servers located outside of New Zealand (e.g., in Australia, the United States, or Canada).

Under Information Privacy Principle 8 & 11 of the NZ Privacy Act 2020, where personal information is disclosed overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure that external service providers handle your data under privacy safeguards comparable to New Zealand privacy standards.

6. Storage, Security & Privacy Breaches

We maintain reasonable technical and organisational safeguards to protect your personal information against loss, unauthorised access, misuse, or disclosure.

In the unlikely event of a privacy breach that causes or is likely to cause serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) as soon as practicable, in compliance with our mandatory notification obligations under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.

7. Children & Minors

Our Services are intended for a general audience and are not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 16 years of age. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us to request deletion.

8. Your Rights: Access and Correction

Under Information Privacy Principles 6 and 7 of the NZ Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to request access to any personal information we hold about you, and to request that we correct any inaccurate details.

To exercise these rights, please submit a written request to us at hello@meldessentials.com. We will respond to your request within the timeframes specified by law.

9. Marketing Preferences

You may opt out of receiving marketing emails from us at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email communication. Even if you opt out of promotional communications, we will still send transactional emails regarding your orders, account updates, or support inquiries.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our operating practices, legal requirements, or regulatory guidance. Updates will be published directly to this page with an updated "Last updated" date.

11. Complaints & Contact Details

If you have questions or concerns about our privacy practices or wish to make a formal complaint regarding how your personal information has been handled, please contact us at:

Email: hello@meldessentials.com

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a privacy complaint with the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner: