Integrity and conduct
The integrity and conduct programme aims to build trust by supporting the institutional integrity of agencies and trustworthiness of public servants.
In order to operate effectively in our communities and make a difference, we need to have the trust and confidence of New Zealanders. To maintain this trust and confidence, we need to be able to show we are trustworthy, that we act in the interests of New Zealand and its citizens, and never for our personal gain.
The New Zealand Public Sector is held in high regard and ranks well across a range of international integrity measures. That reputation depends on our ability to build and maintain a high trust, strong public management system, and a workplace culture that promotes integrity and ethics as central to our values and work. Every public servant has a part to play.
Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission (the Commission) has three main roles in leading the public sector in all matters related to integrity and conduct:
- Setting standards of integrity and conduct that apply to most public sector agencies;
- Providing advice and guidance to staff on matters of integrity and conduct; and
- Investigating matters of integrity and conduct in the public sector.
Standards of Integrity and Conduct
The Public Service Commissioner is responsible for setting standards of integrity and conduct across most of the public sector. The Commissioner has done this in a code of conduct for the public sector, called the Standards of Integrity and Conduct (the Code).
The Code has been applied to Public Service departments, to many Crown entities. These include statutory entities, Crown entity companies (excluding Crown Research Institutes) a number of Crown entity subsidiaries, and Public Finance Act Schedule 4A companies. Staff in those organisations must comply with the standards in the Code.
- Code of conduct for the Public Sector - Standards of Integrity and Conduct
- Code of conduct for Ministerial staff
The Public Service Commissioner has issued a Code of Conduct for Crown Entity Board Members which applies to the board members of statutory entities (excluding corporations sole) and Crown entity companies (excluding Crown Research Institutes and their subsidiaries).
The Public Service Commissioner has issued a Code of Conduct for the Directors of Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4A Companies.
Model Standards
Model Standards set out the Commissioner’s minimum expectations for agencies and staff in the public sector on specific integrity areas. These are:
Information Gathering and Public Trust
Chief Executive Gifts, Benefits and Expenses
Advice and guidance
The Commission provides advice and guidance to agencies on how to interpret and implement the Code in their organisations.
As part of this the Commission maintains a 'helpdesk' to assist in the interpretation of the Code and provide advice on integrity matters. Agencies or individuals should feel free to contact us for advice by email at integrityandconduct@publicservice.govt.nz or by phone (04) 495 6600.
Investigating matters of integrity and conduct
The Public Service Commissioner may conduct investigations on matters of integrity and conduct across most of the public sector. These inquiries provide assurance to both the government and the public that the activities of agencies and individual public servants are being carried out within the law and within the bounds of proper conduct.