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Children’s Commissioner Act 2022

Children’s Commissioner - Code of ethics

26: Commissioner’s code of ethics

You could also call this:

"The Commissioner's rules for working fairly and safely with people"

Illustration for Children’s Commissioner Act 2022

The Commissioner has a code of ethics that guides how they work with other people. You will see this code is for the Commissioner's staff and board members when they are doing their job. The code helps them work safely and ethically with others. The code of ethics has some main goals, such as keeping people safe and making sure their voices are heard. It also aims to make things clear and easy for people when they work with the Commissioner. The code helps reduce the burden on people when they engage with the Commissioner. The Commissioner must include certain information in the code of ethics, as outlined in regulations made under section 37. They must also review the code every five years, or more often if regulations say so. When creating or changing the code, the Commissioner must talk to certain people, as decided by regulations made under section 37. The Commissioner must publish the code of ethics on their website so you can see it. This way, you can understand how the Commissioner and their staff work with others.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS733211.

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Part 2Children’s Commissioner
Code of ethics

26Commissioner’s code of ethics

  1. The Commissioner must have a code of ethics relating to engagement with other persons carried out by board members and staff of the Commissioner in the performance or exercise of the Commissioner’s functions, duties, or powers under this Act.

  2. The purposes of the code of ethics are to—

  3. ensure safe (including culturally safe) and ethical engagement:
    1. provide assurance that the voices of individuals, particularly children and young people, are heard:
      1. provide certainty in engagement:
        1. minimise the burden of engagement.

          1. The code of ethics must—

          2. include the information prescribed in regulations made under section 37; and
            1. be reviewed by the Commissioner at intervals not exceeding 5 years or any shorter intervals prescribed by regulations made under section 37.

              1. When developing the code of ethics, or any amendments to the code of ethics, the Commissioner must consult the persons prescribed by regulations made under section 37.

              2. The Commissioner must publish the code of ethics on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Commissioner.

              Notes
              • Section 26 heading: amended, on , by section 24 of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 34).
              • Section 26(1): amended, on , by section 24 of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 34).
              • Section 26(3)(b): amended, on , by section 24 of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 34).
              • Section 26(4): amended, on , by section 24 of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 34).
              • Section 26(5): amended, on , by section 24 of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 34).