The Integrity Code sets minimum standards for organisations. The minimum standards aim to make sure participants are safe, respected, treated fairly and taken seriously if things go wrong. They help organisations prevent and respond to harmful behaviours, and address integrity issues consistently, whether they happen at local clubs or national organisations.

Its values come from tīkanga Māori and include whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, hauora, haumarutanga, mokopunatanga, pono, utu and ea (positive relationships, dignity and respect, health and wellbeing, safety, the wellbeing of children, trust and honesty, and reparation and restoration). 

Most people and organisations want to do the right thing by their participants and communities. The Integrity Code gives sport and recreation organisations the tools to guide this mahi.  

Read the Integrity Code (PDF 1.20MB)

The Integrity Code: 

• is voluntary for sport and recreation organisations 

• covers sport and recreation 

• doesn’t cover school sport, which is already regulated through the education system 

• applies to all threats to integrity except anti-doping, which is covered by the Sports Anti-Doping Rules

We support organisations on their road to adoption, including with guidance and resources. 

The Integrity Code sets minimum standards to help organisations manage integrity issues, prohibit harmful behaviour and make sure participants can raise concerns safely and be taken seriously. 

There are minimum standards for: 

• defining and addressing harmful behaviour. This includes bullying, harassment and abuse, racism and discrimination, sexually harmful behaviour, and match-fixing 

• keeping children, young people and adults at risk safe 

• complaints and dispute resolution processes to address issues if they arise 

• our role when there are serious integrity issues. 

Any sport and recreation organisation can adopt the Integrity Code. Adoption is voluntary. We recommend national-level organisations adopt the Integrity Code first, followed by their regional and local member organisations. 

Read a text description of this diagram.

Organisations that adopt the Integrity Code need to have and implement organisational policies that reflect the requirements for each of the minimum standards within 12 months of adoption. 

Learn more about adopting the Integrity Code

There have been well-documented cases of harmful behaviour in New Zealand sport and recreation. The Integrity Code helps organisations and individuals understand what harmful behaviours look like, how to prevent them, and how to respond effectively if they occur.  

Everybody involved in sport and recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand should expect to be safe and treated fairly. The Integrity Code offers a consistent framework for that protection. It allows New Zealanders to trust they are respected for who they are, to trust their peers and organisations to behave with integrity and to be confident that harm or unfair treatment is addressed and taken seriously. 

Adopting the Integrity Code is a long-term commitment. It will take time and effort, and you may meet challenges or surprises along the way. But the future of sport and recreation depends on a strong foundation of integrity. A lasting culture of integrity benefits sport and recreation activities, participants, those who work within the sector, and our global reputation for integrity.   

You’ll have support from us on your journey to adopt and implement the Integrity Code. From guidance to policy templates to education, you’ll benefit from practical tools that help you understand what you need to do and how to do it. 

The Integrity Code was formed thanks to extensive consultation across the sport and recreation sector and beyond.

Learn more about how we consulted on the Integrity Code