To be professional in the State Services means:
- acting lawfully and promoting the rule of law
- supporting parliamentary democracy and parliamentary institutions
- demonstrating a spirit of service to the public of New Zealand
- giving effect to agency responsibilities as part of executive government
- carrying out obligations to the Government in an efficient, effective and politically impartial way
- recognising the Crown's commitments under the Treaty of Waitangi
- promoting equality and diversity in the workplace
- displaying relevant knowledge and competence in all work responsibilities
- delivering services and achieving results through organisational efficiency and fiscal responsibility
- having regard to the importance of sustainability in the development of policies and in the delivery of services
- respecting people and their views, both inside and outside the State Services
- demonstrating a strong sense of personal responsibility and commitment to the public good
- preparing advice, delivering services, and reaching decisions by using analytically sound, well-rounded, informed and inclusive approaches
- tendering that advice when required, with objectivity, courage, tenacity and independence
- promoting and advocating standards of integrity
- seeking opportunities for personal development that will strengthen the contribution that can be made to the work of the State Services
- giving effect to the standards of integrity and conduct applied to agencies by the State Services Commissioner.
It would not be professional for us to:
- undermine parliamentary processes or the ability of Ministers to account to Parliament for the activities of an organisation for which they are responsible
- engage in activities that undermine the State Services' commitment to integrity and professionalism - in effect failing to meet the obligations to be fair, impartial, responsible and trustworthy.
- disregard our obligations to act lawfully, effectively, efficiently and economically
- act in a way that brings our organisation or the State Services into disrepute
- act out of bias or favouritism
- allow our actions to be influenced by personal relationships, self-interest, or personal obligations or to act in a way which may reasonably be seen as improperly influenced by others
- fail to give Ministers advice of relevant concerns to avoid 'surprises'
- promote in our work, a particular party political viewpoint or personal agenda
- promote the interests of our organisation at the cost of other parts of the State Services
- fail to carry out lawful directions from a Minister or from our organisation on conscience or other grounds without first having discussed the circumstances, and disclosed this refusal to act, with our manager
- be profligate with public resources and disregard the importance of sustainability in everything we do.