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Terms of Service

Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Hire Local platform located at https://hirelocal.co.nz (“Platform”), owned and operated by Hire Local (“we”, “us”, or “our”).

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

1. Definitions

  • “Customer” refers to users seeking to post jobs or hire experts.
  • “Expert” refers to users offering services via the Platform.
  • “User” refers to any person accessing or using the Platform.
  • “Account” means a registered user profile on the Platform.

2. Platform Purpose

Hire Local is a digital marketplace that connects Customers with Experts for the provision of services. We provide the infrastructure for listing, messaging, and managing jobs, but we are not a party to the contract between Customers and Experts.

3. Account Registration

To access key features of the Platform, you must register an Account and provide accurate, complete, and current information. You are responsible for:

  • Keeping your login details secure
  • All activity that occurs under your Account
  • Not impersonating others or using fake identities

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate Accounts that violate these Terms.

4. Subscriptions & Payments

a. Experts

Experts must purchase a monthly or yearly subscription plan to apply for jobs. Plans are sold via WooCommerce and may be processed through Stripe or manual bank transfer.

b. Customers

Customers may use the Platform for free but may pay for featured listings or upgrades.

c. Commission

We charge a 5% service fee on top of the Expert’s quoted price, which is added to the Customer’s total payment. This does not reduce the Expert’s earnings.

5. Payment Handling

  • All payments are held by the Platform admin and manually released upon successful job completion.
  • We are not a licensed financial service provider.
  • Disputes over payments must be raised within 7 days of job completion.

6. User Conduct

You agree not to:

  • Post false, misleading, or inappropriate content
  • Violate any applicable laws or third-party rights
  • Circumvent the Platform to avoid fees
  • Use the Platform for illegal or abusive purposes
  • Spam, harass, or threaten other users

Use of the Platform must comply with the New Zealand Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015.

7. Messaging

The Platform uses WP Guppy to enable private messaging. You agree that:

  • Messages may be monitored for abuse or safety reasons
  • You will not use messaging to share off-platform contact details or solicit outside deals

8. Content Ownership

You retain ownership of the content you submit, but you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute it for Platform operation purposes.

9. Platform Availability

We do our best to ensure the Platform runs smoothly but do not guarantee:

  • Continuous uptime
  • Error-free functionality
  • That the Platform will always meet your expectations

We may modify or discontinue parts of the Platform at any time without notice.

10. Termination

We may suspend or permanently terminate your Account if:

  • You breach these Terms
  • We receive multiple complaints about your activity
  • Your actions risk harm to the Platform or its users

You may close your Account at any time by contacting us.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

  • We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, or consequential losses from your use of the Platform
  • We are not liable for disputes between Customers and Experts
  • Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the last 3 months

12. Dispute Resolution

Users agree to attempt informal resolution by contacting us first. If unresolved, disputes may be escalated to mediation in accordance with New Zealand law.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Platform constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

14. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any legal action relating to the Platform must be filed in a New Zealand court.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, contact:

Hire Local
Email: support@hirelocal.co.nz
Website: https://hirelocal.co.nz

Last updated: 06/03/2025