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Principles Guidance

  1. Section 01
    Kupu whakataki Introduction
  2. Section 02
    Te Noho Taiapa Political Neutrality
    1. 2.1
      Political neutrality for public servants as individuals
    2. 2.2
      Political neutrality for public servants in their official role
  3. Section 03
    Tohutohu Hāngai Free and Frank Advice
  4. Section 04
    Kopounga Whai-painga Merit-based Appointments
  5. Section 05
    Kāwanatanga Tuwhera Open Government
  6. Section 06
    Kaitiakitanga Stewardship
  7. Appendix
    Rārangi kupu Glossary
  8. Appendix
    Rārangi kupu mō te reo Māori Te reo Māori glossary
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This guidance provides information about the public service principles and the role of agencies, their leaders and public servants.  

The Public Service Commissioner has issued this guidance under section 19 of the Public Service Act 2020.  

This guidance is part of He Aratohu – Integrity and Conduct guide(PDF, 4.2 MB) and should be read in conjunction with agencies’ own policies and procedures. Where appropriate, links to related content contained within He Aratohu – Integrity and Conduct guide have been included.  

This guidance is not exhaustive and sits alongside any relevant legislative requirements. It is intended to complement those requirements but not replace them. In the event of inconsistency, the legislative requirements prevail.   

Who this guidance is for

The public service principles and agencies’ responsibilities are set out in the Public Service Act 2020. Under section 12, public service chief executives[1] an interdepartmental executive board, a board of an interdepartmental venture, and boards of Crown agents have a statutory responsibility to ensure the agencies they lead uphold the principles when carrying out their functions[2]. Public servants support their leaders in performing this responsibility. 

This guidance is being issued to the following agencies:  

  • Departments and departmental agencies 
  • Interdepartmental executive boards and interdepartmental ventures 
  • Crown agents  
  • Crown entities (excluding tertiary education institutions, Crown Research Institutes and their subsidiaries and School Boards of Trustees) 
  • Companies named in Schedule 4A of the Public Finance Act 1989,  
  • Parliamentary Counsel Office, and 
  • Any other entities where legislation confirms the agency is subject to section 19 of the Public Service Act 2020.  

The agencies that this guidance applies to are referred to as the ‘public sector’ for the purposes of this guidance. 

Other agencies 

This guidance does not apply to the following agencies: 

•      New Zealand Defence Force

•      New Zealand Police

•      Crown Research Institutes and their subsidiaries

•      Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4 organisations

•      Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 5 Mixed ownership model companies

•      State-owned enterprises

•      School Boards of Trustees

•      Tertiary education institutions, such as universities

However, anyone can use this guidance to know more about the public service principles and integrity and conduct obligations.

An up-to-date list of all central government organisations can be found at Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission - Central Government organisation list.

[1] Public service chief executive means a chief executive of a department or departmental agency or a functional chief executive (Public Service Act 2020, section 5)

[2] Public Service Act 2020, section 12 (2) and section 12 (6)

  1. Introduction
    Principles Guidance
  2. Section 02
    Te Noho Taiapa Political Neutrality