1 MBIE guiding principles relevant to this policy
1.1
The Declarations of Interest Policy aligns with the following MBIE guiding principles:
a.
ensuring Te Ara Amiorangi, our core values, and diverse and inclusive culture are at the
heart of what we do
b.
ensuring we maintain the trust and confidence of the public
c.
ensuring the best use of taxpayer funds
d.
ensuring a healthy, safe and secure environment
e.
being a good employer
f.
complying with legislation, regulations and standards.
2 Purpose
2.1
The purpose of MBIE’s Declarations of Interest Policy is to:
a.
support our people in exercising a high standard of judgement about conflicts of interest
and avoiding or mitigating any risks arising from these
b.
empower our people to avoid actions that may harm MBIE’s reputation or undermine the
public’s trust and confidence in our work
c.
ensure our people manage conflicts of interest consistently and transparently
d.
maintain a culture of honesty, integrity and public trust.
3 Scope
3.1
This policy applies to all employees, secondees and contractors, employed or engaged on any
basis by MBIE (
our people), whether they are casual, fixed term or permanent, whether ful time
or part time and whether they are in New Zealand or in any other country.
4 Help
4.1
For any queries relating to the policy or to report suspected wrongdoing, email the Integrity team.
4.2
Alternatively, suspected wrongdoing can be reported by:
a.
contacting MBIE’s Integrity Line to report a concern anonymously (available 24/7):
•
0800 33 77 33 within NZ
•
+64 9 927 5905 from overseas
•
www.integrityline-nz.org/reporting-mbie
b.
submitting a Speaking Up event through MBIE’s online event reporting tool, Camms
c.
speaking to your people leader/manager or your manager’s manager.
4.3
To report conduct or behaviour that amounts to ‘serious wrongdoing’ as defined by the Protected
Disclosures (Protections of Whistleblowers) Act 2022, refer to MBIE’s Protected Disclosures Policy
and Procedure.
Title:
Declarations of Interest
Date of Issue:
November 2019
Dep Sec Sponsor:
Deputy Secretary, Strategy and
Policy
Assurance
Version:
4.2
Last Review:
September 2024
Policy Owner:
Head of Integrity
Policy Classification:
Governance
Next Review:
September 2027
Security Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
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8 Procedures
a.
Declarations of Interest procedure [PDF 993KB]
b.
Declarations of Interest – Management plan examples
9 Related MBIE policies and documents
a.
Addressing Conduct and Behaviour Policy
b.
Code of Conduct
c.
Fraud, Corruption and Dishonesty Policy
d.
Gifts, Hospitality and Entertainment Policy
e.
Procurement Policy
f.
Protected Disclosures Policy
g.
Sensitive Expenditure Policy
10 Relevant legislation, regulations and standards
a.
Employment Relations Act 2000
b.
Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022
c.
Public Service Act 2020
d.
Office of the Auditor-General – Managing conflicts of interest: A guide for the public sector
e.
Office of the Auditor-General – Putting integrity at the core of how public organisations
operate: An integrity framework for the public sector
f.
Te Kawa Mataaho – Public Service Commission (PSC): Standards of Integrity & Conduct
g.
Te Kawa Mataaho – PSC Model Standards: Chief Executive Gifts, Benefits and Expenses
h.
Te Kawa Mataaho – PSC Model Standards: Conflicts of Interest
i.
Te Kawa Mataaho – PSC Model Standards: Speaking Up
j.
Te Kawa Mataaho – PSC Model Standards: Workforce Assurance
11 Measures of success and compliance management
11.1
The Head of Integrity wil assess the effectiveness of this policy based on the fol owing measures
of success:
a.
Our people use MBIE’s online event reporting tool, Camms, to declare conflicts of interest.
b.
Conflicts have an agreed management plan recorded in Camms within 10 working days and
the management plan remains open and current until the circumstances creating the
conflict no longer exist.
c.
There are support mechanisms available to assist people leaders/managers in improving
their skills in managing conflicts of interest.
d.
Our people, including new people leaders/managers, are completing compulsory integrity
and declarations of interest training as prescribed by MBIE within agreed timeframes.
11.2
The Head of Integrity will monitor compliance with this policy as follows –
a.
Reporting to ARA:
• training record trends, including completion percentages for business groups
• proportion of declarations with a management plan entered within 10 days.
b.
Reporting training completion rates for key integrity modules to business groups, as agreed.
Title:
Declarations of Interest
Date of Issue:
November 2019
Dep Sec Sponsor:
Deputy Secretary, Strategy and
Policy
Assurance
Version:
4.2
Last Review:
September 2024
Policy Owner:
Head of Integrity
Policy Classification:
Governance
Next Review:
September 2027
Security Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
Page
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c.
Quarterly review and reporting of conflicts of interest declared in Camms provided to tier
two and tier three people leaders for their business group or branch (with identifying
information removed).
11.3
Compliance information regarding the performance of this policy will be provided to the relevant
business group and Enterprise Risk, Compliance and Insurance on a quarterly basis.
12 Non-compliance
Employees
12.1
Failure to comply with this policy may be considered a breach of the Code of Conduct.
12.2
If substantiated, an alleged breach of this policy may also amount to serious misconduct and
could lead to disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination of employment.
12.3
Any action taken as a result of a breach of any of the obligations set out in this policy will be
conducted in good faith, a fair process will be followed, and the person involved will have a full
opportunity to respond to the concerns or al egations. An employee responding to an al egation
of fraud, corruption or dishonesty wil be given an opportunity to obtain appropriate support,
advice or representation.
Contractors
12.4
If substantiated, an alleged breach of this policy may result in termination of the independent
contractor agreement. For any action taken in these circumstances, the rules of natural justice will
apply.
Title:
Declarations of Interest
Date of Issue:
November 2019
Dep Sec Sponsor:
Deputy Secretary, Strategy and
Policy
Assurance
Version:
4.2
Last Review:
September 2024
Policy Owner:
Head of Integrity
Policy Classification:
Governance
Next Review:
September 2027
Security Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
Page
9 of
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