Board Resources Good Governance Code
The Good Governance Code
Waehere whakahaere tika
Good Governance is fundamental to the success of your organisation
By getting your governance right, you will have capable, diverse, and engaged board members, a strategy about how to achieve your organisation’s ambitions and serve your community, and ensure your organisation is operating in a legal and ethical manner.
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The Good Governance Code is a set of six principles that define what is good governance for community organisations in Aotearoa.
Principle 1
Impactful, Purposeful Leadership
Rangatiratanga
About this principle
Principle 1
Impactful, Purposeful Leadership
Rangatiratanga
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Good boards are leaders.

They are clear about the purposes of their organisations, and their leadership is focused on ensuring the organisations deliver maximum impact. Good boards provide strong foundations for their organisations and the communities they serve.

Why Rangatiratanga and Impactful, Purposeful Leadership matters

Good boards collectively come together (like a woven mat) to focus on serving their kaupapa. They focus on making the most impact for their communities with the resources they have. They seek members with the right skills and relevant experience.

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Principle 2
Connected Leadership
Whanaungatanga / Whakawhanaungatanga
About this principle
Principle 2
Connected Leadership
Whanaungatanga / Whakawhanaungatanga
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Good boards understand the importance of relationships and connections.

Board members unite to fulfil the purposes of their organisations, building strong relationships with each other and those they serve.

Why Whanaungatanga / Whakawhanaungatanga and Connected Leadership matters

Good boards identify and acknowledge the mana of all. They seek to build positive, strong relationships among board members and with the communities they serve. They come together to focus on common purposes and value the contribution of each board member.

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Principle 3
Diverse and Inclusive Leadership
Tuakiritanga
About this principle
Principle 3
Diverse and Inclusive Leadership
Tuakiritanga
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Great boards are diverse as the communities they serve.

They draw on the experiences of all board members and seek to enhance the integrity and leadership of all individuals who are members of the boards. They understand the importance of people and identity.

Why Tuakiritanga and Diverse and Inclusive Leadership matters

Good boards know that communities are made up of people with different aspirations and needs. To serve their communities well and make good decisions, boards need insight into their communities. They should aim to be connected and trusted by those they serve.

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Principle 4
Integrity and Accountability
Manaakitanga
About this principle
Principle 4
Integrity and Accountability
Manaakitanga
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Good boards understand their accountability to each other, to those who support and fund their kaupapa, and  to those they serve.

They seek and gain trust by always working with care, integrity, reciprocity, and respect.

Why Manaakitanga and Integrity and Accountability matters

Good boards understand their responsibility to uphold the highest standards of governance. Their positive reputation attracts committed board members. They care deeply for their members, the Kaupapa of the organisation, and as a result, energy and impact are sustained over time.

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Principle 5
Transparent and Open Leadership
Kaitiakitanga
About this principle
Principle 5
Transparent and Open Leadership
Kaitiakitanga
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Good boards are trusted by the communities they serve, their staff and volunteers, and their funders.

They seek to ensure their kaupapa is sustainable over time. They are open and accountable for their impact and use of resources. They seek genuine feedback and are willing to adapt and learn to best serve their communities.

Why Kaitiakitanga and Transparent and Open Leadership matters

Good boards build strong foundations for future growth. They know they are looking after a kaupapa on behalf of their communities and seek to maintain the kaupapa through transparency and engagement. They ensure their values and purposes align with their strategies and service delivery.

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Principle 6
Effective Governance Processes
Pono
About this principle
Principle 6
Effective Governance Processes
Pono
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Great boards do things right.

They have good internal governance processes and policies in place so that they operate legally, ethically, and effectively. Having streamlined processes means boards can focus on strategy and impact.

Why Pono and Effective Governance Processes matters

Having the right processes in place matters. It means the board is well-run and board members’ time is used efficiently and effectively. Good processes will also help build the trust and confidence of staff and funders. Good board processes assist the board to operate their organisation legally and ethically.

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Kotahitanga - striving for unity and togetherness

Together we work towards good governance in the community sector in Aotearoa.

te ao Māori principles

Self-assessment tools for your board

As a board member, or collectively around the board table, use these guiding questions to consider your own practices and policies.

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How the code was developed

The Good Governance code has been co-designed by Community Governance in conjunction with the community sector, via a series of workshops facilitated by Dr Jo Cribb and Rose Hiha-Agnew. These workshops brought together not-for-profits, philanthropic organisations, government, businesses, and more to create the foundational principles our of code.

We have also drawn on knowledge from overseas codes, indigenous frameworks, and te ao Māori so that it’s at the forefront of what good governance means for us in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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