Te Tauākī Whanonga mō te Rāngai Tūmatanui The Code of Conduct for the Public Sector
Te Tauākī Whanonga mō te Rāngai Tūmatanui | The Code of Conduct for the Public Sector (the Code) sets the standards of integrity and conduct across the Public Sector.
All public servants working in a Public Sector organisation to which this Code applies must meet the standards of integrity and conduct set out in the Code. By upholding these expectations, public servants help strengthen the trust and confidence New Zealanders place in the Public Sector. Many organisations also have their own Codes of conduct that are consistent with this Code and reflect their specific organisational context.
Separate codes of conduct have been issued for Ministerial staff, Crown entity board members and Directors of Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4A Companies.
The Code of Conduct for the Public Sector took effect on 30 March 2026. The Standards of Integrity and Conduct have now been replaced by the Code.
You can read the Code of Conduct for the Public Sector on the following pages or download a copy here:
Our standards
Our values
-
Trustworthy
To act with integrity and be open and transparent.
-
Respectful
To treat all people with dignity and compassion and act with humility.
-
Impartial
To treat all people fairly, without personal favour or bias.
-
Accountable
To take responsibility and answer for our work, actions, and decisions.
-
Responsive
To understand and meet people’s needs and aspirations.
Our principles
-
Political neutrality
To act in a politically neutral manner.
-
Free and frank advice
When giving advice to Ministers, to do so in a free and frank manner.
-
Merit-based appointments
To make merit- based appointments (unless an exception applies under the Act).
-
Open government
To foster a culture of open government.
-
Stewardship
To proactively promote stewardship of the Public Sector.
Glossary
Print version
Alternate formats
The alternate formats will be published as they are available.
Information for Public Sector organisations
The Code of Conduct for the Public Sector: Information for Public Sector organisations
Required learning
‘Navigating the Code’ is required learning that supports all public servants to understand the Code. This learning is part of Integrity Essentials, which has a range of learning resources on integrity topics such as political neutrality and free and frank advice. The Leadership Development Centre designed this learning with the Public Service Commission.
Standards of Integrity and Conduct
The Code of Conduct for the Public Sector replaced the Standards of Integrity and Conduct on 30 March 2026.
You can download a copy of the previous Standards of Integrity and Conduct here:
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge and thank all those who contributed their time, expertise and insights to the development of the Code of Conduct for the Public Sector. The Code has been strengthened by your diverse perspectives, and your engagement and commitment throughout the process has been invaluable.
Illustrations by Ezra Whittaker.
Crown copyright © 2026, Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission. All rights reserved.
This work includes proprietary illustrations protected under the Copyright Act 1994. Except for their use within this Code of Conduct, these illustrations must not be copied, reproduced, distributed, displayed, modified, adapted, or otherwise used, in whole or in part, in any form or medium, without the prior written permission of Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission.
Please note that neither the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission emblem nor the New Zealand Government logo may be used in any way which infringes any provision of the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981. Attribution to Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission should be in written form and not by reproduction of the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission emblem or New Zealand Government logo.