Code of Conduct

This Code sets out the University’s expectations of the standards of behaviour of all members of the University community.

The University acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi as New Zealand’s founding document.

As members of the University of Auckland community, we all agree to behave in ways that make our University community safe, inclusive and equitable for all. For us, this means that:

• We act with manaakitanga: this means we show respect, care and support for others and we act with kindness and hospitality. In achieving this, we do not:
  • Bully, harass or discriminate against others;
  • Engage in purposefully offensive or personal attacks, whether physical or non-physical, on others or their property;
  • Behave aggressively, violently or in ways that make others feel unsafe or unwelcome;
  • Abuse the power we have over others by virtue of the position or status we hold in our University community.
• We foster whanaungatanga: this means we commit to making our University community a place in which all feel they belong. As part of this we:
  • Acknowledge that our rights to freedom of expression come with shared responsibilities to respect and acknowledge the rights of others;
  • Respect the principles of natural justice;
  • Promote positive, supportive and collegial relationships
  • Comply with the rules, policies and procedures of the University.
• We build kotahitanga: this means we recognise that our community of teaching, learning and research is a partnership between our students and our staff. As part of this we are transparent and welcoming of critical debate especially when we exercise positions of responsibility within our community and we welcome the good faith contributions of others in guiding decision-making.
• We uphold kaitiakitanga: this means we recognise our responsibilities as kaitiaki (guardians) to protect and respect our environment, traditions, knowledge, culture, languages and other taonga. As part of this we:
  • Promote and defend academic freedom
  • Act to achieve the goals of sustainability
  • Are the kaitiaki of this code – we protect and respect this Code.

Behaviour that is inconsistent with this Code may be addressed through appropriate informal interventions, unless that conduct is also unlawful or breaches a University policy, statute, regulation or rule, when formal disciplinary action may be considered. 

The Code of Conduct is intended to be used in conjunction with the guidance document and the University of Auckland’s statutes, policies, procedures, rules, regulations and associated documents. These include, but are not limited to:

Academic Freedom: the freedom of academic staff and students, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, to put forward new ideas and to state controversial or unpopular opinions.

Collegial relationships: cooperation and recognition of interdependence among members creating a supportive and healthy work and study environment.

Conduct: a person’s behaviour in a place or situation (including online), including both verbal and physical behaviour.

Environment: refers to physical environments, social and cultural environments, and virtual environments at the University including internet, intranet and social media.

Natural Justice: includes the person complaining or complained about having a fair opportunity to be heard and respond on the matters in issue; and the decision-maker being free from bias or pre-determination.

Respect: showing due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others.

Responsibility: having a duty to deal with something or, having control over someone, or being accountable/to blame for something.

Rule: means any written direction or requirement made by the Council, Senate, any of their Committees, or any authorised person of which notice has been given by publication in the University Calendar, University Policy Hub, or by other means.

Sustainability: working towards sustainable development as outlined by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

University community: students, staff, alumni, supporters, the Council, visitors and contractors, when they are on campus, representing or associated with the University and in University-affiliated digital spaces.

New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) has released helpful resources outlining what support domestic tertiary and all international learners can expect for their wellbeing and safety while studying. These include, but are not limited to:

• Watch the Know the Code videos

• Who is the Code for? / Mā wai te Rārangi Tikanga Atawhai?

• What is the Code? / He aha hoki te Rārangi Tikanga Atawhai?

• Student accommodation / Ngā whare nohonoho o te ākonga

• What should I do if I am unhappy with my tertiary education organisation? / Ka ahatia mēnā kāore i te pai te whare amorangi mātauranga ki a au?

This web page was last updated on 17 February 2022.