Having integrity is being honest, ethical and having strong morals. It's doing what's right, even when no one is watching. 

A club or organisation with a strong culture of integrity is safer and fairer for everyone. The culture helps prevent and respond to harmful behaviour in sport and recreation. 

Most clubs and organisations want to do the right thing by their members and communities. Our role is to provide support so we can all do what’s right, and everyone has a positive, safe and fair experience. 

A culture of integrity means having an environment that is safe and fair. It is achieved through shared values and a shared commitment to high standards of behaviour.  

• A culture of integrity promotes the positive social and physical benefits of sport and recreation, while also preventing harm and abuse.  

• It’s clear that harmful or unfair behaviour is not tolerated. There is confidence that if things go wrong, there are processes to appropriately deal with it. Including when mistakes or unintentional harm happens. 

• It helps to maintain the credibility and popularity of sport and recreation activities. When fans and spectators see participants acting with integrity, it creates a positive image for the sport. On the flipside, if they display harmful or unfair behaviour, their supporters and spectators might think it’s ok to act that way, too. 

Building a culture of integrity has powerful benefits for both individuals and organisations. 

For people 

• They feel safe, respected, and included. 

• They are confident concerns are taken seriously, and they have the full backing and support from their club or organisation if they raise a concern. 

• People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged and feel safe to join and participate, including people who may have previously felt unwelcome or left out. 

• They are more likely to stay involved and contribute positively to the community. 

For organisations 

• It enhances your reputation and builds trust with participants, families, and future members. 

• It strengthens relationships with partners, funders, and the wider community. 

• It helps prevent harm and reduces the risks of legal or reputational issues. 

• It supports a positive environment where everyone can focus on enjoying and developing through sport and recreation. 

• When people and organisations thrive, they uplift everyone around them, building safer, stronger, and more connected communities.  

It’s important to recognise what helps create a culture of integrity, and what it looks like. 

These core values support the actions and behaviour of organisations, communities and people. 

• Whanaungatanga: nurturing positive relationships, connections and a sense of community between participants, particularly for people who are disadvantaged or at risk. 

• Manaakitanga: participants are treated, and treat each other, with dignity and respect. 

• Hauora: physical, psychological, spiritual, family and social wellbeing of participants, recognising sport and recreation should make a positive contribution to participants’ wellbeing. 

• Haumarutanga: the importance of protecting people’s safety and wellbeing, particularly when they are at risk. 

• Mokopunatanga: emphasising the wellbeing of children and young people, and ensuring future generations thrive. 

• Pono: acting in a way that is trustworthy, honest and fair. 

• Utu and ea: reciprocity and opportunities for repairing harm done and restoring a state of balance. 

These core values support the actions and behaviour of organisations, communities and people.  

When there is a culture of integrity everyone recognises harmful and unfair behaviour. They know what to do to prevent and respond to it.  

1. It’s clear that: 

   • harmful, illegal or unethical behaviour is prohibited 

   • people’s safety and wellbeing are paramount 

   • everyone is valued and respected for who they are 

   • it’s everyone’s responsibility to act with integrity. 

2. It’s an environment that’s fair and keeps you safe if there's a misunderstanding or you cause unintentional harm. 

3. The environment is respectful and inclusive. Everyone is valued, regardless of their age, gender, where they’re from or their abilities. 

4. There are strong relationships and connections. 

5. It’s easy to speak up. Everyone knows complaints and concerns are dealt with quickly and professionally. 

Harmful or unfair behaviour, and a poor culture, put both people and integrity at risk in sport and recreation. 

It can endanger participants, harm wellbeing, and damage reputations. To prevent and respond effectively, it’s important to understand what causes these behaviours and how to address them. 

Examples of harmful or unfair behaviour include: 

• abuse and harm to children, young people and adults at risk 

• bullying, violence, abuse, intimidation and harassment 

• racism and other types of discrimination 

• sexually harmful behaviour 

• doping in sport 

• match-fixing and using inside information for sport betting 

• corruption, fraud, and other forms of deception 

• situations where organisations fail to take reasonable steps to prevent these threats. 

This behaviour can endanger participants, harm wellbeing, and damage reputations. To prevent and respond effectively, it’s important to understand these behaviours and how to address them. 

Building integrity is more difficult for clubs or organisations with a poor culture. Signs of a poor culture include: 

• the myths, misconceptions, and attitudes that allow or normalise abuse of children and young people 

• a lack of understanding of the risks to a club or organisation or attitudes of ‘it wouldn’t happen here’ 

• allowing harmful, abusive and unfair behaviour to happen or not appropriately addressing it when it does happen  

• power imbalances between people, particularly when there are concerns about someone in a position of authority 

• a lack of policies and procedures to manage and respond to risks 

• not understanding what causes threats to integrity. 

We can help you to build your culture of integrity with resources, guidance and support.