In this Code, unless the context otherwise requires –
|
Term |
Meaning |
| Act |
Act means the Public Service Act 2020. |
| Conflict of interest |
Conflict of interest means any situation where a person’s duties or responsibilities as an employee of, or a contractor to, a Public Sector organisation conflict, or could be seen to conflict or interfere with their personal or other interests or activities. Conflicts of interest can be actual, perceived or potential. |
| Leader | Leader means any person who is recognised as a leader in their organisation and includes senior leaders and those with managerial responsibilities. |
| Members of a profession | Members of a profession means members of an occupational group with a registration requirement under an Act for the individuals who work or practise in the occupational group. |
| Our | Our means things that belong collectively to public servants and where the context requires, includes the Public Sector. |
| Principles |
Principles means the public service principles set out in section 12 of the Act. Section 12, Public Service Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation |
| Public power | Public power means the authority and ability of the Public Sector and public servants to make decisions and manage public resources for the benefit of everyone. It must be used in ways that serve the public good. |
| Public Sector |
Public Sector means the organisations to which this Code applies, specifically: a) Public service agencies (departments, departmental agencies, interdepartmental executive boards, interdepartmental ventures) and Crown agents b) Crown entities (other than Crown agents and excluding tertiary education institutions and school boards, and Crown Research Institutes and their subsidiaries) c) Companies named in Schedule 4A of the Public Finance Act 1989, and d) the Parliamentary Counsel Office. |
| Public servant | Public servant means any person to whom this Code applies, specifically anyone working in the Public Sector, e.g., employees and contractors. By way of explanation, this does not include Board members of Crown entities or Directors of Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4A Companies, as they have their own codes of conduct issued by the Public Service Commissioner. |
| Public Service |
Public Service has the meaning given in section 10 of the Act. Section 10, Public Service Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation |
| Sensitive expenditure | Sensitive expenditure means any spending by an organisation that could be seen to be giving private benefit to staff additional to the business benefit to the organisation. |
| Serious wrongdoing |
Serious wrongdoing has the meaning set out in section 10 of the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022. Section 10, Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 – New Zealand Legislation |
| Standards |
Standards means the minimum standards of integrity and conduct set by the Public Service Commissioner under section 17 of the Act as outlined in this Code. Section 17, Public Service Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation |
| Values |
Values means the public service values set out in section 16 of the Act. Section 16, Public Service Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation |
| We / us |
We and us when used in this Code means all public servants and where the context requires, includes the Public Sector. |
| You / your |
Your means things that individually belong, or apply, to public servants and you has a corresponding meaning. |
Rārangi kupu mo te reo Māori Te reo Māori Glossary
|
Term |
Meaning |
| Ngākau pono |
Ngākau pono is the te reo Māori descriptor for the trustworthy value. It best describes dependability and integrity. In separating the two words, ngākau is often translated to heart or matters of the heart and pono to be true or truthful, honest, and sincere. |
| Ngākau tapatahi |
Ngākau tapatahi is the te reo Māori descriptor for the impartial value. It is a translation for impartiality, integrity, being neutral, fair, unbiased, even-handed or non-partisan. |
| Whaiwhakaaro |
Whaiwhakaaro is the te reo Māori descriptor for the accountable value. Rather than a translation, it describes the action of thinking carefully, being open to scrutiny and acting responsibly. |
| Whakarangatira |
Whakarangatira is the te reo Māori descriptor for the respectful value. The translation describes treating people with dignity, honour, or to revere or enable. |
| Āta whakarongo |
Āta whakarongo is the te reo Māori descriptor for the responsive value. It describes the act of listening attentively. Āta translates to deliberatively, purposefully, intentionally, with care. Whakarongo is commonly described as listening and hearing. |
| Te noho taiapa |
Te noho taiapa is the te reo Māori descriptor for the political neutrality principle. It is a kīwaha and directly translates to ‘sit on the fence.’ For clarity, this does not mean that public servants cannot hold and express political opinions. However they should consider political neutrality as part of their role as a public servant and the Public Service Principles guidance within this context. |
| Tohutohu hāngai |
Tohutohu hāngai is the te reo Māori descriptor for the free and frank principle. Tohutohu is a translation for ‘to advise.’ Hāngai is a translation for directly and is commonly used in the kīwaha ‘me hāngai te kōrero’ which can be translated to keeping to the point or ‘don’t beat around the bush.’ |
| Kopounga whai-painga |
Kopounga whai-painga is the te reo Māori descriptor for the merit-based appointments principle. Kopounga is a translation for appointee, appointment or successful candidate. Whai-painga is a translation for merit-based or to be of value or benefit. |
| Kāwanatanga tuwhera |
Kāwanatanga tuwhera is the te reo Māori descriptor used for open government. Kāwanatanga is the translation for government and tuwhera is to open or be open. |
| Kaitiakitanga |
Kaitiakitanga is the te reo Māori descriptor for stewardship. Kaitiakitanga in its simplest form is translated to guardianship, stewardship or trusteeship. |