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STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Overview 
 
This Document 
This document outlines the policy to ensure decisions made by our 
District Health Board are not influenced by the personal interests of 
its employees.  The District Health Board acknowledges that 
conflicts do exist from time to time; with openness and transparency, 
these can be managed positively. 
 
Topic 
See Page 
Overview ..................................................................................... 1 
Introduction ................................................................................. 2 
Policy Statements ........................................................................ 4 
Conflict of Interest ...................................................................... 5 
Disclosure & Documentation ...................................................... 9 
Options & Appeals .................................................................... 11 
Appendix 1:  Conflict of Interest Examples and Recommended 
Actions ...................................................................................... 12 
 
 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
1 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Introduction 
 
Purpose 
Our District Health Board is committed to providing a fair, ethical 
and accountable environment for the conduct of health system 
operations.  All employees are expected to perform duties in a fair 
and unbiased way and not to make decisions which are affected by 
private interests or personal gain.  The integrity and fairness of the 
decisions and actions taken by employees could be undermined if, 
when performing their duties, a conflict between the District Health 
Board and private interests exists or appear to exist. 
 
To protect the integrity of the District Health Board and its 
employees, conflicts of interest need to be properly managed. 
Employees have an on-going obligation to disclose any conflict of 
interest. 
 
Conflicts of interest must be as transparent as possible.  The 
generally accepted view is that where conflict between the 
organisation’s duty, requirements and private interest exists, matters 
must be resolved in the organisation’s interest. 
 
Scope 
This policy applies to all District Health Board employees.  It 
includes commercial transactions and recruitment of employees, any 
person seconded or contracted to the Auckland DHB and students 
training in DHB premises, as well as clinical research and related 
activities such as funding and research grants. 
 
Employees must disclose all interests, regardless of whether they 
consider they may or may be in conflict with Auckland DHB.   
 
The procedures by which Board members and members of 
committees identify, declare and manage conflicts of interest are set 
out in: 
  The Auckland DHB Governance Manual 
  Part 2 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 
  Schedule 3 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 
2000 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
2 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Introduction, Continued 
 
Associated 
The table below indicates other documents associated with this 
Documents 
policy. 
 
Type 
Document Titles 
NZ Legislation 
•  Crown Entities Act 2004 
•  NZ Public Health and Disability Act 2000 
•  Employment Relations Act 2000 
Board Policies 
•  Conduct - Standards 
•  Discipline & Dismissal 
•  Sponsorship, Donations, Gifts and Corporate 
Hospitality Policy 
•  Delegated Authority Policy 
Other 
•  Auckland DHB Governance Manual 
•  Staff Interests Register 
•  Managing Conflicts of Interest – Good 
Practice Guide (2007) – Office of the 
Auditor-General 
•  PBE IPSAS 20 Related Parties Accounting 
Standard 
•  Conflict of Interest Guidelines for DHBs – 
Ministry of Health 
 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
3 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Policy Statements 
 
Policy Statements 
Where an employee or their related party has an interest (or potential 
interest) in a transaction – financial, professional or personal –or 
could be influenced or perceived as being influenced by a personal or 
private influence which may potentially conflict with their 
obligations to the District Health Board, they must declare that 
interest to the appropriate Manager or Clinical Head. 
 
Where an employee or their related party has a (potential) conflict of 
interest, this must be discussed with the appropriate Manager/ 
Clinical Head, and they are to decide whether any change to the 
employee’s activities is required to mitigate any conflict. 
 
Employees have an on-going obligation to disclose actual, potential 
or perceived conflicts of interest.  They should err on the side of 
caution; if they are unsure whether they have a conflict of interest in 
a particular situation they should discuss the matter with their 
manager or professional lead.  
 
Where an employee or their related party has a conflict of interest 
and has knowingly withheld this information, and/or acted to their 
own advantage, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action 
up to and including dismissal.  
 
Conflicts of interest must be either eliminated or managed in the best 
interest of the DHB. 
 
Key Words 
Key words to be recorded for Intranet search functions related to this 
topic are as follows: 
  Transaction 
  Interest in a transaction 
  Conflict of Interest 
  Related party 
  Gifts 
  Sponsorship 
  Donation 
  Corporate Hospitality 
 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
4 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Conflict of Interest 
 
The Meaning of 
Conflict of interest exists when it is likely that an employee 
Conflict of Interest 
could be influenced or could be perceived to be influenced by a 
personal or private interest in any transaction whilst carrying 
out their responsibilities for the District Health Board. 
  Transaction means: 
•  The exercise or performance of a function, duty, or power of 
the District Health Board; or 
•  An arrangement, agreement, or contract to which the DHB 
is a party; or 
•  A proposal that the District Health Board enter into an 
arrangement, agreement, or contract. 
The functions the relevant individual performs, and delegated 
authorities that employee holds at the District Health Board, will 
need to be considered to determine how a conflict of interest may 
arise. 
A personal or private interest are those interests that can bring 
benefit or disadvantage to an employee as an individual, or to 
others whom the employee may wish to benefit or disadvantage. 
  Related party means: 
•  A friend 
•  A relative or close member of the family 
•  An associate 
  Close members of the family of an individual are those family 
members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, 
that person in their dealings with the entity and include: 
a)  That persons children and spouse or domestic partner 
b)  Children of that persons spouse or domestic partner; and 
c)  Dependants of that person or that persons spouse or domestic 
partner 
 
An Interest in a transaction that can lead to a conflict of interest 
may exist where an employee: 
•  Will derive financial benefit from the transaction 
•  Has financial interest in another party to a transaction 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
5 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Conflict of Interest, Continued 
 
The Meaning of 
•  Is a director, officer or trustee of another party to the 
Conflict of Interest 
transaction, or is a person who will or may derive a material 
continued 
financial benefit from the transaction 
•  Has an interest in another party tendering for work which the 
District Health Board is contesting 
•  Is a shareholder of another party to the transaction 
•  Is the parent, child, or spouse of another party to the transaction, 
or a person who will or may derive a financial benefit from the 
transaction. 
 
Examples of interests employees should consider are: 
•  Shares they own 
•  Their having made or received a donation or gift 
•  Their being an adviser, employee, trustee or director of another 
business or organisation 
•  Their being a member of a professional body 
•  Their family affiliations 
•  Any business proposals they are developing 
 
See Appendix 1 for a list of situations where conflicts of interest may 
potentially occur. Be aware that these are examples only and that the 
list is not exhaustive. 
 
Perceived and 
Conflicts of interest can be actual, perceived or potential. 
Potential Conflicts 
 
of Interest 
An actual conflict of interest involves a direct conflict between an 
employee’s current duties and responsibilities and existing private 
interests. 
 
A perceived or apparent conflict of interest can exist where it could 
be perceived, or appears, that an employee’s private interests could 
improperly influence the performance of their duties, whether or not 
this is the case. 
 
A potential conflict of interest arises where an employee has private 
interests that could conflict with other official duties in the future. 
 
For advice, please contact the head of the decision making group to 
which you belong or your relevant manager. 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
6 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Conflict of Interest, Continued 
 
Competing 
Conflicts of interest can also arise where an individual has official 
Interests or 
roles in more than one public organisation. In these situations, it may 
Conflict of Duties 
be difficult for a public official to keep the roles separate and this can 
lead to poor performance of one of the roles, at least, and unlawful or 
improper decision making at worst, or improper use of information to 
give advantage to the second organisation, etc. 
 
These types of conflict are not always recognised because no private 
interest is involved or apparent.  These situations are usually 
described as one of competing interests or a conflict of duty, and are 
best managed on the same basis as conflict of interest. 
 
Deciding if a 
Employees should ask themselves the following questions to help 
Conflict of Interest  decide if a conflict of interest exists or could be perceived by any 
Exists 
person to exist:  
•  Do I, a relative, friend or associate stand to gain/loss financially 
from the District Health Boards decision or action on this 
matter? 
•  Do I, a relative, friend or associate stand to gain/loss in any way 
from the District Health Board s decision/action? 
•  Am I in a position to influence decision making about a matter 
related to a potential personal or professional interest? 
•  Have I made any promises or commitments in relation to this 
matter? 
•  Have I received a benefit or hospitality from someone who 
stands to lose or gain from the District Health Boards 
decision/action? 
•  Am I a member of an association, club or professional 
organisation, or do I have particular ties or affiliations with 
organisations or individuals, who stand to lose or gain from the 
District Health Boards consideration of the matter? 
•  Could there be benefits for me in the future that could cast 
doubt on my objectivity? 
•  •  If I do participate in assessment or decision-making, would I 
be happy for my colleagues and the public to be aware of any 
association or connection? 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
7 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Conflict of Interest, Continued 
 
Deciding if a 
•  Would a fair and reasonable person perceive that I was 
Conflict of Interest 
influenced by personal interest in performing my public duty? 
Exists 
•  Do I need to seek advice or discuss the matter with an objective 
continued 
party? 
•  Am I confident of my ability to act impartially and in the public 
interest? 
•  Do I need to declare the matter to my manager or to the relevant 
decision making group? 
•  Might I be perceived as favouring a particular person or firm 
because of a longstanding association? 
•  Am I in a position to influence development of a particular 
strategy or policy that will guide future decisions from which I 
may benefit personally? 
•  When I am making a presentation or recommendation to the 
Board or other decision making group, are they aware of my 
interests (including private practice commitments) which might 
be perceived as influencing the advice I am giving? 
 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
8 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Disclosure and Documentation 
 
Disclosure of 
After determining that a conflict of interest may exist in a particular 
Conflict of Interest  situation, the individual employee must disclose any actual or 
potential interest they have (whether pecuniary or non-pecuniary). 
Disclosures should be made at the earliest opportunity on the 
declaration of interests form and documented in the interests register. 
 
The employee should disclose to their manager and/or any relevant 
decision making group, or the responsible decision making person, 
his or her conflict of interest at the first available opportunity, for a 
decision as to what action should be taken to avoid or deal with the 
conflict. Disclosures are to be treated as confidential if appropriate. 
A disclosure should provide relevant information such that 
management can make an informed decision about how best to 
manage the actual or potential conflict of interest. 
 
Specific information disclosed must include: 
•  The position at issue (the role) and its functions and duties 
specifically in relation to the transaction 
•  The potential value (direct and indirect) of the transaction 
•  The way in which the interest or conflict will or may impact on 
the performance of the employees role 
•  An explanation of any personal benefit – perceived, actual or 
potential, direct or indirect, financial or otherwise – resulting 
from the transaction 
•  Possible future involvements and benefits 
 
Disclosures should be made verbally and in writing.  An employee 
who has a conflict of interest must ensure that the interest is reported 
to the Corporate Business Manager for recording in the Staff 
Interests Register. 
 
If an employee, their manager or professional lead is uncertain 
whether a particular situation constitutes a conflict of interest they 
should err on the side of caution and arrange for the interest to be 
declared and recorded in the interests register.  If further advice is 
needed on whether or not the particular situation constitutes a 
conflict of interest, the matter can be referred to the Corporate 
Business Manager for guidance. 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
9 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Disclosure and Documentation, Continued 
 
Documentation 
Employees are to complete the Declaration of Interests form 
and provide it to their manager who will manage the potential 
conflict of interest.  The manager will provide the form to the 
Corporate Business Manager for recording in the Staff 
Interests Register. 
 
The existence of a conflict of interest by a member of staff 
must be documented in an Interests Register. 
  This documentation should note: 
•  The name of the employee 
•  The nature of their interest in the transaction, and 
•  What role they had in the transaction e.g. No role, only 
involved in the discussion but not the decision, full 
involvement. 
 
Interests Register 
An Interests Register is to be maintained by the Corporate Business 
Manager to record all interests (actual or potential). 
 
The Register is to incorporate as a minimum the following 
information: 
•  Name of the person declaring the interest 
•  Name of the person the interest was declared to 
•  Date of declaration 
•  Organisation or individual involved 
•  Brief description of matter 
•  Action taken/comments and how the conflict of interest will 
be managed/mitigated. 
 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
10 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Options & Appeals 
 
Options for Dealing  Generally, if a pecuniary interest is disclosed, the individual with the 
with a Conflict of 
interest must not be involved in consideration or discussion of the 
Interest 
matter in which he or she has the interest and must not vote on any 
question relating to the matter. 
 
In rare situations this may not be possible, for example, if a conflict 
of interest is identified at or near the conclusion of a process. 
Appointing an independent person to be involved in decision-making 
would minimise the actual or perceived influence or involvement of 
the person with the actual or reasonably perceived conflict. 
 
However, a broader range of options exists for dealing with conflicts 
of interest that do not have a pecuniary component. Choosing the 
right option to deal with the situation will depend on the 
circumstances and an objective assessment of it. 
 
Options can include: 
•  Take no action because the conflict is assessed as being 
minor in nature or is eliminated by disclosure or effective 
supervision 
•  Allow limited involvement (e.g.  Participate in discussion, 
but not in decision making) 
•  Prohibit any involvement 
•  Request the individual concerned relinquish or divest the 
personal interest which creates the conflict 
•  Appoint an independent person to manage the process to 
provide assurances of fairness and equity in the matter 
 
Appeals Process 
If an employee and their manager disagree with respect to any 
Conflict of Interest issue, an appeal may be made for a review to the 
Chief Human Resources Officer, or the Chief Medical Officer, or 
through other options available to the employee. 
 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
11 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Appendix 1:  Conflict of Interest Examples and 
Recommended Actions 

 
Listed below, under various classifications, are situations where conflicts of interest may 
potentially occur and a recommended action to avoid or deal with the conflict. 
  Purchasing of Goods and Services or Letting of Contracts 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Accepting gifts or benefits from 
Refer to your policy on Sponsorship, 
suppliers, or other individuals, involved in 
Donations, Gifts and Corporate Hospitality. 
the provision of goods and/or services could 
Best practice is to accept the gift on behalf of 
present a conflict of interest or obligation 
the unit for which you work.  , Report that 
and be perceived as encouraging or obliging 
you received the gift to your manager to 
the employee to favour that supplier.  Gifts 
record the details appropriately.  Complete 
and benefits can take many forms e.g.  
the Sponsorship, Donations, Gifts and 
Lucky door prizes, raffles, travel, meals.  It 
Corporate Hospitality Declaration form. 
also includes opportunities to attend 
Note that there are limits placed on the value 
educational conferences or meetings and 
of gifts that can be received. 
attendance at or participation in sports 
Relevant register: Gifts Register 
events. 
Selection of Tenders/Appointment of 
Where there is a private interest with any 
contractors: Preferring tenderers or 
Tenderer or contractor, the employee must 
prospective contractors with whom there is a  declare their conflict of interest and 
private relationship 
withdraw from the selection process. 
 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
Recruitment 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Sitting as a member on selection panels 
Declare the interest and withdraw from any 
where applicants for the position are 
part of the recruitment process is the 
known to the member personally, as 
preferred option; however in some situations 
family, friend or close associate, to an 
it may be necessary to include the person 
extent that could be considered to be a 
with the conflict on the panel (for example 
conflict of interest. 
in cases where they have specific expertise 
that is required).  In these cases it may be an 
option to include an independent person in 
the recruitment process. 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
12 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Appendix 1:  Conflict of Interest Examples and 
Recommended Actions, 
Continued 
 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Being in a position to influence the 
Declare the interest.  Other choices as noted 
selection, or non-selection, of an applicant 
above. 
for a position where the applicant is known 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
personally and involvement could be 
perceived to be a conflict of interest. 
 
Staff Administration 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Having a close personal and/or family 
All employees are to be treated equally and 
relationship with another employee over 
fairly and any relationships that could be 
whom control is exercised. 
perceived to be of possible concern should be 
brought to the attention of the appropriate 
senior employee.  If it appears that employees 
are being given preferential treatment, these 
concerns should be addressed through the 
disciplinary process. 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
 
Presentations to the Board or Other Decision Makers 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Making a written or oral presentation 
At the start of the presentation the presented is 
to the Board (or to another Auckland 
expected to explicitly declare their private 
DHB decision making body) about 
practice involvement.  The Board or other 
equipment, facilities or services when 
decision making body then as an opportunity 
the presenter has, or is contemplating, 
to ask questions about this interest. 
private sector involvement in a similar 
 
service. 
When arrangements are being made for a staff 
member to make a presentation to the Board, 
the staff member will be reminded of the 
expectation to declare private practice 
commitments. 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
13 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Appendix 1:  Conflict of Interest Examples and 
Recommended Actions, 
Continued 
 
Improper Actions 
Promoting friends or relatives where other employees are more 
deserving. 
 
Preferentially rostering staff to the advantage of particular 
individuals due to personal association with those persons.  This can 
have financial (penalty rates, etc.) advantage to the favoured 
individuals to the disadvantage of other employees. 
 
Allocation of overtime regularly to particular individuals to the 
disadvantage of other persons equally entitled and equally efficient. 
 
Assessment and/or inappropriate recommendation of particular 
individuals over others because of personal associations, for such 
things as: 
• 
Training courses 
• 
Attending conferences 
• 
Job or advancement opportunities 
 
Recommending incremental progression, or non-progression, of 
particular employees due to personal interests, or attitudes, that are 
not aligned to the work situation. 
 
Giving preference for the taking of leave by individuals to the 
detriment of others due to personal association. 
 
Not applying the same rules equally to all employees because of 
personal association, e.g. Failure to address issues of late attendance, 
non-performance, etc. 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
14 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Appendix 1:  Conflict of Interest Examples and 
Recommended Actions, 
Continued 
 
Client/Patient Relationship 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Providing information or making 
Staff are not to give preferential treatment to 
recommendations to client/patient regarding 
personal associates at the expense of others. 
service providers where one of the service 
(Wherever practicable, staff are not to 
providers is a close friend/relative, etc. 
recommend any one service provider or firm. 
Providing information or making 
They should provide “lists” of available 
recommendations to patients by 
service providers/firms.)  If a staff member is 
recommending yourself in a private capacity.  found to have received a financial return for 
recommending one service provider, or firm, 
or oneself, disciplinary action taken may 
include dismissal. 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
 
Membership of Associations or Clubs, Professional Organisations, Political Parties 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Being involved in decision-making processes  Declare the interest and allow management 
of the District Health Board or a professional  to determine the extent of involvement.  If an 
body, association, etc. that could have an 
employee is found to have made or 
effect on the method of operation of the 
influenced a decision to the District Health 
District Health Board or that association, 
Board’s detriment, then that employee could 
club, professional organisation, etc. that the 
be subject to disciplinary action and possible 
employee is a member of, or has an interest 
dismissal depending on the circumstances. 
in. 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
 
Clinicians and Other Health Professionals 
Health professionals encounter a variety of circumstances in their day-to-day work which 
could give rise to potential conflicts of interest. 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Establishing a relationship with a 
Declare any potential conflict of interest to 
pharmaceutical company or medical 
the Chief Executive Officer (CE) or 
equipment supplier where it could be 
authorised delegate(s) e.g.  Your manager 
perceived that preference was given to that 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
particular company during procurement/ 
tendering process. 
 
Continued on next page 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
15 of 16 

Auckland District 
STAFF 
Board Policy 
Health Board 
(Section 6) 
Manual 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
Appendix 1:  Conflict of Interest Examples and 
Recommended Actions, 
Continued 
 
Situation 
Recommended Action 
Accepting travel and accommodation fees 
Obtain approval from CE or authorised 
to present research findings. 
delegate(s) for accepting travel and 
accommodation fees and releasing of 
possible confidential information. 
Relevant register: Gifts Register 
Accepting payment of fees and/or 
If a fee-for-service is received and the 
honorariums for sitting on committees 
service is provided during working hours
then the income must be declared and 
provided to the organisation.  (Also refer to 
Secondary/Additional Employment Policy) 
Relevant register: Gifts Register 
Participating on professional boards, 
Obtain approval from CE or authorised 
committees, societies, etc.  Which could 
delegate(s) to participate in external 
constitute a conflict of interest with position 
boards, etc. where there is any or could be 
held in health organisation. 
a perception of a conflict with the duties or 
functions performed in the health 
organisation. 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
Having directorships and share holdings in  Declare the interest to the CE or authorised 
private companies, associations, etc. 
delegate(s) who would then decide whether a 
which deal with the health organisation. 
conflict of interest existed and possibly 
restrict the person’s involvement in the 
District Health Board s processes or request 
resignation from external involvement. 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
Evaluating new products / drugs where 
Declare any potential conflict of interest to 
decisions may be influenced by personal 
the CE or authorised delegate(s). 
associations/offers of samples or equipment, 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
whether to the individual or the organisation 
Evaluating new products / techniques 
This must be approved by the Clinical 
devices developed by employees also 
Review Board and the Research Review 
involved in clinical trials of same; or when a 
Committee, who will decide on how to 
company licensed to use an employee’s 
manage the conflict and legal 
invention is sponsoring trial to be undertaken  responsibilities. 
with the District Health Board 
Relevant register: Staff Interests Register 
 
Section: 
Staff 
Issued by: 
Chief Human Resources Officer 
File: 
Conflict-of-Interest_2017-02-18.docx 
Authorised by:  Chief Executive & Endorsed by The Board 
Classification: 
PP01/STF/003 
Date Issued: 
Updated February 2017 
Conflict of Interest   
Page: 
16 of 16