For the purpose of this guidance, unless the context specifically requires otherwise, the terms and phrases used in this guidance have the following meanings.
|
Term |
Explanation |
|
Public Service |
is the collective term for departments, departmental agencies, interdepartmental executive boards, interdepartmental ventures and Crown agents. See section 10 of the Public Service Act 2020. |
|
Public sector |
is the collective term for all the agencies this guidance is issued to including departments, departmental agencies and statutory Crown entities. |
|
Public servant |
is any employee or contractor working for the agencies listed under ‘Who this guidance is for.’ |
|
Our leaders |
are the responsible leaders of agencies to which this guidance applies. This includes agency chief executives and boards of Crown entities. |
|
We or us |
is used to refer to public servants. |
|
Our |
is used to refer to things that belong collectively to public servants (either all public servants or a significant proportion of public servants, depending on the context). |
Rārangi kupu mō te reo Māori Te reo Māori glossary
The translations referred to within this guidance will be referred to as a ‘descriptor’ as part of this glossary. Some words or concepts do not have like for like translations in te reo Māori. The descriptors used, where possible, are direct translations of the words or are kīwaha (idiom) which provide a relevant description.
|
Term |
Explanation |
|
Ngā pou |
is the te reo Māori title used for Principles. Pou is a commonly used and recognised term that can be translated as pillar, support or something that is fixed and immovable. |
|
Te noho taiapa |
is the descriptor for the politically neutral principle. It is a kīwaha and directly translates to ‘sit on the fence’. For clarity, it is not expected that public servants sit on the fence in all situations especially in relation to their rights and freedoms. However they should consider political neutrality as part of their role as a public servant and the guidance within this context. |
|
Tohutohu hāngai |
is the descriptor for the free and frank advice 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 |
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 |
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 |
is the te reo Māori descriptor used for stewardship. Kaitiakitanga in its simplest form is translated to guardianship, stewardship or trustee. |