The Code should be read in full as the meaning and requirements for each section overlap. The standards, values, and principles should not be read as separate or isolated from the rest of the Code.
As a public servant, you must:
- ensure you read, understand, and abide by the Code, and
- adhere to any additional behavioural expectations set by your organisation.
As a leader, you must also:
- support your team and colleagues’ understanding of how to comply with the Code
- encourage your team and colleagues to ask questions and raise any integrity or conduct concerns by speaking up
- deal with integrity or conduct concerns appropriately and, where applicable to your role, enforce the Code consistently, and
- foster a positive, safe, and ethical workplace culture in your organisation.
As an organisational leader of a Public Sector organisation, you are responsible for:
- the integrity and conduct of your employees, which includes ensuring they have read and understood this Code and agree to abide by it
- ensuring your organisation’s code of conduct (if relevant) and policies and procedures are consistent with this Code
- enabling your employees to complete Code of Conduct learning and to regularly renew that learning, and
- ensuring your employees can obtain appropriate advice on integrity issues, including possible conflicts of interest.
Ngā takahitanga o te Tauākī Breaches of the Code
Failure to comply with this Code may constitute misconduct or serious misconduct and could result in disciplinary action being taken by your organisation up to and including dismissal. Breaches of law may also result in civil or criminal penalties.
The Code is not intended to outline every possible scenario or list every behaviour or action that could be a breach. Unsatisfactory behaviour or actions not specifically listed in this Code may still constitute a breach, where they are found to undermine the Public Service values and principles. Public servants are required to exercise careful judgement that can withstand scrutiny and should seek advice early if unsure about any of the Code’s requirements.
Whakaputaina he kōrero, whakapuakina ngā āwangawanga Speak up and raise concerns
Speaking up promptly about suspected wrongdoing shows that we care and have the courage to do the right thing. Anyone can report concerns such as behaviour or activities they feel may breach this Code to the relevant Public Sector organisation.
The process for reporting serious wrongdoing, and the protections available to those who report it, is outlined in the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022. This includes a list of appropriate authorities to make a report to.
Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022
Criminal or unlawful activity should be reported to the NZ Police or other relevant enforcement agencies (for example, the Serious Fraud Office).
If you’ve raised concerns about a public servant or a Public Sector organisation and you feel the concerns haven’t been appropriately managed or resolved, or you feel unsafe raising the concerns with the relevant organisation, you can report them to Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission:
commission@publicservice.govt.nz