Policies
The policies with which New Zealand government agencies are obliged to comply extend to web sites under ownership of the agencies.
Code of Conduct
Values are central to the New Zealand Public Service. Values are essentially the link between the daily work of public servants and the broad aims of democratic government in New Zealand. The core values of the Public Service are described in the Code of Conduct for the State Services - Standards of Integrity and Conduct. This code was launched on 19 June 2007. It will come into effect on 30 November 2007. The Public Service Code of Conduct 2005 [PDF 854.4kb] still applies until that date, when it will be superseded by the new code.
Values
Public service web sites should reflect the values of the Public Service in New Zealand. This document provides practical ways to reflect these values in the development and management of public sector web sites. One of the two stated foundation components of the web strategy is the incorporation of the fundamental objectives and principles of the NZ Government. At the highest level, all such objectives and principles are founded upon one or more of the following four Public Service values. All Standards and Recommendations stated in this document are based on these public service values.
Equity
Equity means being fair and reasonable. People have no choice about where to go to get government services. Only one agency issues passports and one collects taxes. This places an onus on agencies to make their web sites widely accessible. Public Service web sites that disable users for whatever reason are not equitable. (see New Zealand Disability Strategy)
Integrity
Integrity means being whole and incorruptible. A web site with integrity will be secure from interference, up to date, complete and authoritative. It will also be capable of being preserved as a complete record of what was available publicly at some point in time. For example, future uses of site archives may not be able to determine the relationship between a web document and the pages it links to, if you present the links and the document in a frame.
Trust
Trust and integrity go hand in hand. But trust goes further. For example, a site worthy of trust will provide appropriate authentication and security where personal information is accessed online, will not store cookies without explaining why and be free from errors (like spelling mistakes, wrong dates or incorrect information).
Economy
Economy means using public resources in a way that is efficient, effective and fiscally economical. This is expressed more fully in the New Zealand E-government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF), which sets out common standards that enable agencies to exchange information efficiently in delivering services online.
Legislated Obligations
NZ government web sites are obliged by legislation to comply with:
In addition, NZ government web sites are expected to comply with the E-government Policy Framework for Government-held Information.
Official Information Act 1982
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/
Part I, section 4 of the Official Information Act 1982 sets out the government’s responsibility to:
- provide access to official information to promote accountability of Ministers of the Crown and officials
- provide for proper access by each person to official information relating to that person
- protect official information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the preservation of personal privacy.
Human Rights Act 1993
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/
In adherence to this act, the content of NZ government agency web sites is expected to be easily accessible.
Putting information on your web site and making services available online does not automatically make it available to everyone. People without ready Internet access are not discriminated against in terms of the Human Rights Act 1993. However, people who are disabled because of their impairment may be (section 21(1)(h)).
There are other prohibited grounds for discrimination set out in section 21, which may have a bearing on the information and services an agency delivers either online or offline.
The agency should not treat any person less favourably because they are impaired with respect to accessibility throughout its web site(s).
Privacy Act 1993
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/
Personal information is information about an identifiable individual. Agencies must comply with the Privacy Act 1993, which governs the collection, holding, access, correction, use, and sharing of personal information, and the use of unique identifiers. The Act sets out 12 privacy principles that your agency is expected to incorporate into your web strategy when collecting personal information via your agency’s web site(s). The Office of the Privacy Commissioner web site gives a thumbnail sketch of the principles.
Resources
For assistance, contact your agency’s privacy officer.
For further information about the Privacy Act, the 12 privacy principles, and codes of practice issued by the Privacy Commissioner under the Act:
Specifics for web sites - http://www.privacy.org.nz/library/effective-website-privacy-notices
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner operates a telephone helpline:
- From Auckland: 302 8655
- From outside Auckland: 0800 803 909
Email enquiries@privacy.org.nz.
Public Records Act 2005
The Public Records Act 2005 sets the framework for government record-keeping in New Zealand. It applies to all public offices, including Departments, Offices of Parliament, Crown Entities, and SOEs.
The Act sets out high-level requirements for record-keeping. These requirements apply to web sites just as much as any other activity, and should be incorporated into your web strategy. The three key requirements are:
- You must create and maintain full and accurate records of your web site, in accordance with normal and prudent business practice
- You must maintain those records in an accessible form over time
- You must not delete or otherwise dispose of any record without written authority from the Chief Archivist.
Refer to your agency’s records manager for details.
Resources
Continuum Record-keeping Advice Web site
E-government Policy Framework for Government-held Information
First principle
Government departments should make information available easily, widely and equitably to the people of New Zealand (except where reasons preclude such availability as specified in legislation).
The content and delivery sections of these guidelines set out basic requirements to embody this principle in web sites. They also provide recommendations for cultural change, training and the design of business processes to achieve its aims.
Second principle
Government departments should make the following information increasingly available on an electronic basis:
- all published material or material already in the public domain;
- all policies that could be released publicly;
- all information created or collected on a statutory basis (subject to commercial sensitivity and privacy considerations);
- all documents that the public may be required to complete;
- Corporate documentation in which the public would be interested.
There is little today that is not produced electronically. To embody this principle in your web strategy, you should emphasise making the listed information “increasingly available” on your web sites.
Resource
New Zealand Public Service chief executives and the State Services Commission developed the framework. Cabinet approved it in 1997.
