Lead up to Election 2023 – checking your political neutrality at work and changes to government process Pre-election period begins on 14 July 2023 On 14 July, we officially enter the three-month period before the General Election on Saturday 14 October 2023, and there will be some changes in the way government operates during this time. You can read Section 6 – The Public sector and the general election in Te Kawa Mataaho’s General Election Guidance 2023 for more information about what happens in the three month and one month period leading up to the election. At a high level what this means for Te Whatu Ora is: • Public consultation and surveys already underway can continue. • As public servants, we must be alert to the heightened political sensitivity around government advertising and any perception that government funds are being used to • • •
pay for publicity for party political purposes. Programme launches and events are generally best left until after the election. Requests from MPs to visit our workplaces must be referred to the CE. If you receive one, please forward to your local communications team for escalation. As public servants, we must continue to exercise political neutrality at work and serve the Government of the Day.
Maintaining political neutrality To help you navigate election year, and in particular, the pre-election period, we have put together some practical tips on what may be considered appropriate and inappropriate conduct during election time. Generally, the following is considered appropriate and acceptable conduct during an election period: • Chatting about politics or policy as part of a private conversation, in non-public facing areas, with interested colleagues. • Being a member of a political party. • Attending political party meetings or delivering pamphlets outside of work. • Sensible personal use of media and social media (make sure you’re familiar with your workplace’s social media policy). •
Standing for Parliament as a candidate, with the caveat that you won’t be able to work in your public sector role from the point of nomination until the day after the Election – more information is available here.
The following is not considered appropriate and acceptable conduct during an election period: •
Campaigning for a political party or a candidate in the workplace. Using your personal social media to make political comments about Te Whatu Ora,
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political parties or policies, Ministers or our work. Providing your work contact details to political parties.
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