Our commitments. Independent assurance, ethical practice, and responsibility to the people and communities whose data we work with.

Our accreditation is driven by our belief that the fundamental starting point of any project is ensuring data is appropriately managed and protected.

What is SOC 2?

Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls) is an independent audit by an accredited auditor that evaluates how effectively a company safeguards customer data and ensures privacy. It assesses controls related to:

• Security
• Availability
• Processing integrity
• Confidentiality
• Privacy

This accreditation is particularly relevant for organisations, like ours, that work with large volumes of public, commercial, and personal data.

Why SOC 2 accreditation is important

Cyberattacks are rising fast – both globally and in New Zealand. In 2024, the FBI reported a 33% increase in cybercrime losses, topping over US$16 billion. Meanwhile, New Zealand's National Cyber Security Centre recorded more than 7,122 incidents in the year ending June 2024.

While the dollar figures are important, the reputational risks for public and private organisations can be more costly. Public confidence that their data won't be shared with anyone other than those intended to receive and manage it is fundamental to maintaining trust.

That's why we consider SOC 2 essential for our business. It gives our clients independent assurance that we have the right safeguards to protect data, manage evolving risks, and build trust in a volatile digital world.

What it means for Global Research's clients

For our clients, SOC 2 accreditation means:

• Greater confidence in our data handling and infrastructure
• Assurance that your information is protected against unauthorised access and misuse
• Independent verification of our operational integrity and commitment to continuous improvement

You can rely on more than our word that your data is secured – we have been independently audited by Prescient Security and Assurance to confirm that we have appropriate systems and processes in place.

What's next

SOC 2 Type 1 accreditation marks an important milestone in our ongoing investment in data governance, transparency, and trust-based client relationships. Whether you're a government agency, business, or not-for-profit organisation, you can rely on Global Research to continue to manage your data and deliver research and analysis with the security it deserves. We continue to assess and manage new risks as they emerge.

Global Research is a proud member of the Research Association of New Zealand (RANZ) – the professional body for the research and insights sector in Aotearoa.

Membership reflects our commitment to:

• Ethical research practices guided by the RANZ Code of Practice
• High professional standards in design, data collection, and reporting
• Continuous improvement through access to industry knowledge and training
• Contributing to the profession by supporting best practice in New Zealand's research community

Being part of RANZ means our clients can be confident that we operate to recognised industry standards and remain accountable to a respected professional network.

At Global Research, a significant part of our work is collecting, handling, and storing information provided by survey and engagement participants, and data we collect ourselves through surveys and face-to-face activities. We take privacy seriously and endeavour to comply with the Privacy Act 2020 at all times.

Collection of personal information

For some projects, Global Research may collect personal information from respondents, predominantly via online surveys but also at face-to-face workshops or focus groups (or similar), including:

• name
• demographic details (age, gender, ethnicity)
• location
• opinions or comments on particular topics
• computer or network details

We collect personal information in order to conduct research for our clients. Providing personal information is optional. If a respondent chooses not to enter personal or demographic data, we'll be unable to analyse responses by that variable. Respondents are not identifiable as individuals in our reporting.

The majority of data we collect is gathered via online surveys, though we also conduct interviews, phone surveys, workshops and focus groups. Participation is voluntary, and consent can be withdrawn at any time. A significant amount of our work involves the analysis of information collected by our clients – for example, surveys, written comments, emails, or letters – including the analysis of public submissions and other engagement material.

Storage and security of information

We keep information safe by storing it in password-protected files accessible only by staff members working on a particular project.

Electronic files are retained for up to two years, at which point they are moved to a securely stored offline location. We keep files so that questions can be answered if they arise after a project closes – for example, if a client requires further information.

Access and correction of personal information

Individuals have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about them, and to ask for it to be corrected if they believe it is wrong. To request a copy or correction, contact us at info@globalresearch.nz, 03 355 4562, or 1/399 Montreal Street, Central Christchurch.

Disclosing personal information

Global Research does not disclose personal information. Efforts are made to remove all identifying information; when reporting, care is taken to ensure participant privacy is maintained. Participant quotes are often used to illustrate findings – these are anonymised.

Disclosure outside New Zealand

Global Research does not store sensitive personal information collected in New Zealand overseas. We use cloud services such as OneDrive, which may host data outside New Zealand; where data is sensitive or a client requires it kept within New Zealand, we use NZ-hosted storage. In some cases, the information we analyse has been collected in another country (generally Australia) for a client based there – in these instances, data is not shared beyond what is necessary between Global Research and the client.

Unique identifiers

We will not ask for unique identifiers (such as an IRD or driver's licence number) or assign them to individuals. Wherever possible, we make efforts to anonymise data being used for analysis through the removal of identifying information such as names and contact details at the earliest possible stage during project delivery.

In the event of a privacy breach

In the event of a privacy breach, Global Research would take the following steps:

• Follow our Incident Response Plan
• If the breach involved data collected by a client, immediately notify the client
• If the breach involved data collected by Global Research, attempt to notify all impacted individuals

Global Research is committed to conducting market and social research focussed on sustainability. Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, we recognise the importance of minimising environmental impacts and contributing to a more sustainable future.

1. Environmental stewardship

Carbon footprint reduction. We acknowledge the global environmental challenges we face and actively work to minimise our carbon footprint. The key actions we take are a small, easily-accessed office space and infrequent use of air travel. Our small office requires minimal energy to heat and cool, achieved with renewable hydro-generated electricity. Our location on the outskirts of the central city is easily accessed by public and active transport.

For the vast majority of projects we complete – no matter where they are based, for example Wellington, Melbourne or Sydney – we don't travel there, which avoids carbon-emission creation. Instead, meetings are conducted online and data and information are transferred electronically.

2. Responsible practices

Local commitment. We prioritise local businesses and support within the Christchurch community whenever possible. By sourcing local products and services, we contribute to the economic growth and resilience of our region.

Reduced daily resource consumption. We strive to minimise waste and resource consumption within our premises – from energy-efficient practices to waste-reduction strategies – actively seeking ways to decrease our ecological footprint.

3. Employee well-being

Workplace culture. We foster a workplace that values sustainability, inclusivity, and social responsibility. Our team is dedicated to creating a positive and collaborative environment that promotes well-being and a shared commitment to our sustainability goals.

4. Ethical research

Social impact. In our market and social research endeavours, we are committed to conducting ethical, unbiased, and socially responsible studies. Much of the research we complete – particularly public engagement analysis – increases the democratisation of cities and countries by ensuring community voices are heard when central and local governments make decisions which impact their citizens.

5. Technological innovation

Digital transformation. Embracing technological advancements, we actively seek innovative digital solutions to streamline our operations and reduce the need for excessive resource consumption.

At Global Research, sustainability is an integral part of our organisational ethos. We continuously evaluate and improve our practices to align with the principles of environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Global Research is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all aspects of our business and supply chain. This statement outlines the steps we take to ensure that modern slavery is not occurring within our organisation or our supply chain.

Our business

Global Research is a market and social research company based in Christchurch, New Zealand. We provide data and insights to help businesses make informed decisions across various sectors. Our team comprises university-qualified researchers, and we complete projects for both local and international clients.

Our policies

We are committed to ensuring there is no modern slavery in our operations and supply chain:

• We are a relatively small organisation with personal knowledge of all staff circumstances, and are confident that modern slavery doesn't exist in our own operation.
• Whistleblowing policy: we encourage all employees and suppliers to report any concerns related to modern slavery or human trafficking without fear of retaliation.
• For international suppliers, our due diligence and risk assessment can only occur remotely and so we rely on their disclosure statements and any information that emerges that contradicts them.
• For local companies, we rely on New Zealand law and police investigations.
• We will act to stop using a supplier that is legitimately suspected of taking part in modern slavery practices.
• Regular reviews: we review our policies and procedures regularly to ensure their effectiveness.