The PSA supports public service agencies’ need to maintain political neutrality and encourages people working in the public sector to be actively involved in exercising their rights of political expression during election years.
Your vote counts! It's time to:
- Get ready! Enrol to vote and encourage your friends and family to do the same. You can stand for election!
- Get informed! Seek out and share good information (not disinformation).
- Get involved! Being politically neutral at work does not stop you from being politically active outside work. You can volunteer to help out any political parties you support, for example with leaflet drops, or by having an election sign on your fence.
- Don't forget to vote!
In your own time
You can do all of this in a way that supports your agency’s obligation to maintain political neutrality as long
as you do this in your own time and don’t:
- Identify your opinions with, or give the impression that, you are speaking on behalf of your agency
- Use information obtained in your role that is not in the public domain for political purposes
- Use your organisation’s resources or premises for electioneering.
The same rules apply to social media as to any other form of communication.
At work
A central element of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements is that the Public Service is politically neutral. The PSA encourages members to:
- Share PSA campaign materials in your workplace. If you’re putting up posters etc, ensure these are not visible to the public. We will be running an election campaign, and as the election approaches this will become more visible and active. We campaign on issues, not on which parties to vote for.
- Carry out the functions of your organisation without letting your personal political beliefs influence how you do your job
- Support your organisation to provide robust and unbiased advice
- Respect the authority of the government of the day.
Where to get more information
Te Kawa Mataaho the Public Service Commission has published full guidance which can be found on
the web:
Read the Public Service Commission's General Election Guidance 2023
For more information, or if you have concerns about the way in which your agency’s code of conduct or the Te Kawa Mataaho’s guidance is being applied, please do contact your PSA organiser or Te Roopu Tohutohu Manaaki the PSA Member Advice and Support Centre.
