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He AratohuA guide on integrity and conduct

  1. Section 01
    Ngā Paerewa mō te Ngākau Tapatahi me te WhanongaStandards of Integrity and Conduct
    1. 1.1
      Te Tauaki Whanonga mā ngā Kaimahi MinitaCode of Conduct for ministerial staff
    2. 1.2
      Te Tauaki Whanonga mā ngā Mema Poari o ngā Hinonga KaraunaCode of Conduct for Crown entity board members
    3. 1.3
      Code of Conduct for the Directors of Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4A Companies
  2. Section 02
    Ngā Paerewa kia TutukiModel standards
    1. 2.1
      Te Mahi me ngā MōrehuWorking With Survivors
    2. 2.2
      Positive and safe workplaces
    3. 2.3
      Speaking up in the Public Sector
    4. 2.4
      Te whakatūturu ohumahiWorkforce assurance
    5. 2.5
      Ngā Tauaki pāngaConflicts of interest
    6. 2.6
      Ngā takoha, ngā takuhe me ngā whakapaunga a Te Tumu WhakahaereChief executive gifts, benefits and expenses
    7. 2.7
      Te kohi pārongo me te whakapono ki te KāwanatangaInformation gathering and public trust
  3. Section 03
    He ārahitangaGuidance
    1. 3.1
      He ārahitanga pōtitanga whānuiGeneral election guidance
    2. 3.2
      Pāpāho pāporiSocial media
    3. 3.3
      He Aratohu Whakatairanga Pānui KāwanatangaGuidelines for Government Advertising
    4. 3.4
      Te āhua o te whakapau pūteaSensitive expenditure
    5. 3.5
      Te utu whakapati me te whakakonukaBribery and corruption
    6. 3.6
      He kōrero hāngai me te tautiakitanga kaupapa hereFree and frank advice and policy stewardship
    7. 3.7
      Ngā āpiha me ngā komiti whiriwhiriOfficials and select committees
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20 March 2023

He Aratohu sets out the minimum expectations for integrity and conduct in the Public Service. The Code of Conduct, Model Standards and Guidance supports the Public Service to maintain the trust and confidence of New Zealanders.

A guide for public servants on matters of integrity and conduct

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa, welcome to He Aratohu. He Aratohu puts the expectations for integrity and conduct in the Public Service, into one easily accessible resource.

He Aratohu is a composite of two words ara and tohu. Ara is a route, path or course. Tohu are symbols, signs, distinguishing features or directions. An aratohu is a pathway that has been scouted and the distinguishing features marked to make the journey of the traveller safer. He Aratohu identifies important resources that help the Public Service navigate issues of conduct and integrity.

The resources available include the expectations set by Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Kawa Mataaho, Public Service Commissioner through the Code of Conduct (including the separate Codes of Conduct for ministerial staff and Crown entity board members and Directors of Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4A companies), model standards and guidance either issued by Te Kawa Mataaho or endorsed guidance provided by another organisation.

As public servants, we and our agencies have a duty to uphold high standards of integrity and conduct. New Zealand’s public sector is in the privileged position of having high levels of public trust and confidence. However, this shouldn’t be taken for granted. We need to keep behaving in a way that retains the faith of Ministers, Parliament and people of New Zealand, or we will lose our legitimacy and undermine the credibility we need to do our work. We must be able to show we are trustworthy, that we act in the interests of the people in New Zealand, and never for our personal gain.

Please note: this is the first step in the evolution of He Aratohu. The Code of Conduct and model standards are currently issued under the State Sector Act 1988 and continue to reflect previous language. Further editions will provide updated language, including a refreshed Code of Conduct that aligns with the principles and values set out in the Public Service Act 2020. In the meantime, this version contains all current material.

  2. Section 01
    Ngā Paerewa mō te Ngākau Tapatahi me te WhanongaStandards of Integrity and Conduct