Conflicts of interest

What a conflict of interest is

A conflict of interest is when your personal interests, obligations or relationships could influence, or could be perceived to influence, decisions you make on your school's behalf.

A conflict of interest can be actual, potential or perceived:

• An actual conflict means a conflict already exists.
• A potential conflict means you can identify a conflict that could happen in the future.
• A perceived conflict means a neutral person outside of the situation could think there is a conflict even if there is not one.

How a conflict of interest happens

A conflict of interest might be a connection you have with a business or individual your school might buy something from. Some examples are:

• having a family member or friend that works at a business your school might buy from
• having previously worked for or with a business that your school might buy from
• having a financial interest in a business your school might buy from.

How to manage conflicts of interest at school

When buying on behalf of your school, you should complete this conflict-of-interest declaration and management plan to keep a record of the process and people involved.

If the purchase is more than $25,000 (including GST), all school staff involved with that purchase must sign the declaration.

Declare a conflict

Any actual or perceived conflict of interest must be declared to your school board.

Having a conflict of interest does not mean you have done something wrong. It must be managed properly so it does not seem as though your school is acting unfairly, unethically or in a biased way.

Your school may still choose to buy from a supplier where a conflict of interest was identified and disclosed. The staff member who has the conflict must be removed from the buying process.

For more information or support with conflicts of interest at your school, contact us.

Email: [email protected]

Guidance and examples of conflicts of interest

The Office of the Auditor-General has detailed examples of how conflicts of interest happen and provides tips on how to manage them.

Managing conflicts of interest in procurement – Office of the Auditor-General New Zealand

Schools are expected to apply government procurement rules when using public money. The New Zealand Government Procurement website has more detail about what a conflict of interest is and how to manage it.

Managing conflicts of interest and confidentiality – New Zealand Government Procurement

The Public Service Commissioner outlines expectations for reporting and managing conflicts of interest.

Conflicts of Interest – Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission