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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
Download pdf (4.2 MB)

The provision of free and frank advice is central to our system of government. Free and frank advice demonstrates and upholds the impartiality that is fundamental to maintaining a politically neutral Public Service. Having the capacity and capability to provide this underpins the integrity, legitimacy, and performance of our system of government.

Good policy decisions, informed by free and frank advice, optimise services and results for the people in New Zealand, including future generations. Investing appropriately in policy stewardship means we’re well placed to provide free and frank advice to future Governments.

This guidance sets out expectations that Public Service chief executives provide free and frank advice to ministers, engage in effective policy stewardship, and ensure that their agencies understand this. Agencies in the broader Public Service may also find this guidance a useful reference for good practice.

Ngā kōnae e hāngai ana | Related files

Free and frank advice and policy stewardship(PDF, 84 KB)  

Free and frank advice and policy stewardship FAQ(PDF, 78 KB)

Please note: The free and frank advice and policy stewardship guidance was issued before the Public Service Act 2020 came into effect. As a result, it contains some language that reflects the previous State Services Act 1988. All guidance provided in the document remains applicable.

  1. Section 3.5
    Te utu whakapati me te whakakonukaBribery and corruption
  2. Section 3.7
    Ngā āpiha me ngā komiti whiriwhiriOfficials and select committees