The Public Service Minister, Judith Collins, has announced an updated Code of Conduct designed to strengthen integrity across New Zealand’s Public Sector. The new Code aims to ensure public servants act with the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism, meeting the expectations of the public they serve.
Built around the core values of the public service, the updated Code provides clear guidance on conduct while introducing new standards to address issues highlighted in the 2025 Public Service Census. These include ensuring merit-based appointments, fostering positive workplace culture, and promoting respectful behaviour.
Ms Collins emphasized that integrity relies on strong leadership, sound judgement, and workplace environments where individuals feel safe to speak up and act appropriately, even when unobserved. To support compliance, the Public Service Commission will offer required training on the updated Code of Conduct and General Election Guidance, which outlines how public servants must conduct themselves before, during, and after elections.
The updated Code of Conduct is now publicly available on the Public Service Commission website, with accompanying integrity learning resources set to be offered through the Leadership Development Centre in March 2026, coinciding with the Code’s effective date.
