Code of conduct

Part one: Introduction

Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002 requires the council to adopt a code of conduct. This code of conduct provides guidance on the standards of behaviour that are expected from the mayor and councillors of Auckland City council. Once adopted, the mayor and councillors are required to comply with the code, which applies to them in their dealings with:

each other
the chief executive
all staff employed by the chief executive on behalf of the council
the media
the general public

This code does not apply to members of the Avondale, Eastern Bays, Eden/Albert, Great Barrier, Hobson, Maungakiekie, Mt Roskill, Tamaki, Waiheke or Western Bays Community Boards, unless they choose to specifically adopt it, or an adapted version of it.

The objective of the code is to enhance:

the effectiveness of the council as the autonomous local authority with statutory responsibilities for the good local government of Auckland City
the credibility and accountability of the council within its community
mutual trust, respect and tolerance between the mayor and councillors as a group and between the mayor, councillors and management.

This code of conduct seeks to achieve its objectives by recording:

agreed statement of roles and responsibilities (recorded in part two of the code)
agreed general principles of conduct (recorded in part three of the code)
specific codes of conduct applying to particular circumstances or matters (also recorded in part three of the code)

The mayor and councillors are primarily accountable to the electors of the district through the democratic process. However, members must be aware that the auditor general may hold them to account for unlawful actions or expenditure, or for breaches of the Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act 1968.

The code of conduct that follows is based on the following general principles of good governance:

Public interest	The mayor and councillors should serve the interests of Auckland City as a whole and should never improperly confer an advantage or disadvantage on any one person, organisation or class of persons.
Honesty and Integrity	The mayor and councillors should at all times act with honesty and integrity, and should not behave improperly.
Objectivity	The mayor and councillors should make decisions on merit including making appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards or benefits. The mayor and councillors should also note that, once elected, their primary duty is to the interests of the entire district, not the ward that elected them (details of the requirements in respect of decision making are set out in Sections 76 to 81 of the Local Government Act 2002).
Accountability	The mayor and councillors are accountable to the public for their actions and the manner in which they carry out their responsibilities, and should cooperate fully and honestly with the scrutiny appropriate to their particular office.
Openness	The mayor and councillors should be as open as possible about their actions and those of the council, and should be prepared to explain their actions.
Personal judgement	The mayor and councillors can and will take account of the views of others, but should reach their own conclusions on the issues before them, and act in accordance with those conclusions.
Respect for others	The mayor and councillors must promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any person and by treating people with respect, regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political belief or disability. They should respect the impartiality and integrity of the council staff.
Duty to uphold the law	The mayor and councillors must uphold the law, and on all occasions, act in accordance with the trust the public places in them.
Stewardship	The mayor and councillors must ensure that the council uses resources prudently and for lawful purposes, and that the council maintains sufficient resources to meet its statutory obligations.
Leadership	The mayor and councillors must promote and support the above principles by example, and should always endeavour to act in the best interests of the community.

These general principles of good governance compliment, and should be read in conjunction with the principles relating to local authorities set out in section 14 of the governance principles in section 39 of the Local Government Act 2002.