Last updated November 2, 2026
happymenu.co.nz is run by Happy Menu ("we", "us"). This policy explains what we collect when you use the site or join as a member, why, who else is involved, and the choices you have. Each Happy Menu country site is run separately with its own member accounts, so this policy covers happymenu.co.nz only.
We ask Google for your basic profile: your name, email address, profile photo, and an account ID that stays the same if you change your email. Google also confirms your email address is verified. We never see your Google password, contacts or anything else in your Google account, and we never post to Google. We don't give you a password; you always sign in through Google.
Each Happy Menu site is for diners in its own country, so when you create an account we check which country your internet connection is in, using the country Cloudflare reports for your IP address. Only people in New Zealand can create an account here. We use this check only at that moment and don't store it.
To keep out fake accounts and spam, every member confirms a mobile number from New Zealand before they can post or follow. We send the number to Twilio, which checks it is a real mobile (not a landline or an internet number) and texts you a code. We don't store your number: we keep a scrambled fingerprint of it, so one number can't confirm several accounts, and its last three digits, so you can see which number you used. We never call or text you with it, show it to anyone or use it for marketing.
We also keep when things were added, whether a post is waiting for approval, your notifications, and your email choices.
Anyone can suggest a restaurant for us to add, with or without an account. We keep what you write, which app or website it came from and, if you're signed in, your account with it. Suggestions are only seen by our team.
Member profiles are public so diners can follow each other's taste. Unless you make your profile private, anyone can see your username, name, photo, banner, bio and location; the places you have eaten and want to try; your diary and ratings; your reviews, photos and lists; the reviews and lists you like; and who you follow and who follows you. Anyone can find a public profile by name or username in the people search on the website and in the app. Public profiles, reviews and lists can appear in search engines.
If you make your profile private, other people see only your name, username and photo. Your reviews, photos, lists and activity stay off public pages, though your ratings still count, without your name, in restaurant averages. Comments you post on other members' reviews and lists show with your name and photo either way. A private profile only appears in the people search for someone who types your exact username.
Your email address is never shown to other members.
We email you about activity on your own account: when someone comments on your review or list, replies to you, or follows you (new followers come together, at most once a day). You can turn these off in your profile. The weekly summary of new likes, followers and comments, with what is popular near you, is sent only if you ask for it. We don't send any other marketing emails, and every email has an unsubscribe link.
We don't sell or rent your personal information, and restaurants cannot buy access to it.
These providers may store and process information outside New Zealand, including in the United States.
| Cookie | What it does | How long |
|---|---|---|
wordpress_logged_in_…, wordpress_sec_… | Keeps members signed in. | 180 days, or until you sign out |
happymenu_members_state | Protects signing in with Google. | 10 minutes |
__cf_bm, cf_clearance | Cloudflare: set only when needed to tell people from bots. | 30 minutes to 1 year |
_ga, _ga_… | Google Analytics: counts visits and how the site is used. | Up to 2 years |
_clck, _clsk, and Microsoft cookies such as MUID | Microsoft Clarity: links page views into visits for heatmaps and recordings. | Up to 1 year |
Google cookies such as NID | Set by Google when a map loads. | Set by Google |
Sign-in cookies are needed for accounts to work. You can block or delete the others in your browser settings without losing access to menus. Google also offers a browser add-on to opt out of Google Analytics.
Under the Privacy Act 2020, you can ask to access and correct the personal information we hold about you, and we will respond within 20 working days. If you are not satisfied with how we handle your information, you can complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.org.nz.
Happy Menu accounts are for people aged 13 and over, or older where the law requires it to have a Google account. If you think a child has joined, tell us and we will delete the account.
The site uses HTTPS. Members sign in through Google, so we hold no passwords for them. Only a small number of people can access member information, and only to run and moderate the site. No website is perfectly secure, so please tell us if you think something is wrong.
If we change this policy, we will update the date at the top. If a change significantly affects how we use members' information, we will tell members on the site before it takes effect.
You can change or delete everything you added, and your account, from your account page.