Equality
What should be in your Workplace Dress Code Policy?
At the Policy Place we often get asked about whether organisations should have a Workplace Dress Code policy. Codes typically involve a list of what not to wear. But how about a more fun Code. One that supports a commitment to equity and diversity, and individual styles and differences while setting some bottom lines. Here…
Read MoreIncorporated Society Rules and the Treaty of Waitangi
Protect what’s important With the new regime of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 about to kick in it’s time to review and update your Incorporated Society Rules. Incorporated Society Rules are an organisation’s Constitution. They are foundational and provide a great way of embedding your agency’s core values and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty…
Read MoreMāori Language policy and procedure for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
In Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, have you got a Māori language policy and procedure up and running? If not, now’s the time to get one happening. Te reo Māori is an official language of Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ) along with English and NZ Sign Language. According to Sir James Henare, “Ko te reo te…
Read MoreImproving policies and procedures for bullying and harassment
Recent changes took effect for lawyers in July this year in Aotearoa. The changes address important gaps in the rules of conduct for lawyers relating to bullying, sexual harassment, racial harassment, violence and discrimination. They are worth considering if your policies and procedures on bullying and harassment are in need of an update. The case…
Read MoreChanges in 2021 – How your policies and procedures can help.
We’re going to see some big changes in 2021. Get your policies and procedures ready to help you manage. Here’s three areas of change, which are likely to affect social, childcare and health services. Other changes are also coming. We’ll keep you advised so sign up for the Policy Place panui. Pandemic/health and safety We…
Read More5 takeaways from the Coroner’s and Ombudsman’s children’s reports
The Ombudsman and Coroner reports, released this month, identified inadequate treatment and care of children/tamariki by Crown agencies. The Coroner was reviewing the tragic death of a young two-year-old. The Ombudsman was reviewing policies and practices relating to the removal of newborn babies from their parents and whānau by Oranga Tamariki- the Ministry for Children.…
Read MoreTreaty-based change for NZ’s health & disability system
We’re in for a new Treaty-based health and disability system. That’s one of the recommendations of the final report on the Health and Disability System Review. The Review recommends that the Treaty/ te Tiriti principles are embedded through New Zealand’s health and disability system. It also recommends amending the New Zealand Public Health and Disability…
Read MoreLearning from the Waitangi Tribunal Māori health report
The first report from the Waitangi Tribunal of its Kaupapa Inquiry into Māori health – Hauora – was released this month. It concluded that our primary health care system has failed to achieve Māori health equity; that New Zealand’s legislative, policy and administrative framework is not, in fact, fit to achieve this outcome. News reports…
Read MoreSome exciting changes and lots to do
Cultural competency and the Oranga Tamariki reforms – are you ready? Earlier this year, we listed some changes coming your way with new legislation. In this post, we look at Oranga Tamariki reforms relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We’ll update you about other changes in subsequent posts. The context As we know, the youth…
Read MoreChallenging hate through workplace change
What’s the difference between stereotyping, prejudice and hate speech and does it matter? Yes, it does matter. In the words of our Chief Human Rights Commissioner: “It is a matter of life, death and human rights. Disrespectful words and actions give permission for discrimination, harassment and violence.” We have plenty of examples in our history that…
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