Supplier Responsibility Charter

Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland values continuous improvement in our environmental, social, and governance performance and uses frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to measure our efforts.

The University expects all suppliers, contractors, partners, consultants, and their supply chains to operate in a manner consistent with our values and strategic vision, Taumata Teitei – Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan. This Charter sets out the principles we expect suppliers to uphold – ethical, sustainable, and inclusive practices – reflecting our commitment to manaakitanga care, whanaungatanga belonging, kaitiakitanga guardianship, and kotahitanga partnership.

This charter applies to all suppliers and partners that supply goods, services, works, or consultancy to the University and their affiliates, subcontractors, and supply chains in all procurement stages including tender, contract award, performance, and post-contract obligations. It outlines standards of expectation that guide our procurement relationships and decision-making.

People and workplaces

• Protect human rights and dignity; prohibit modern slavery, forced, bonded, or trafficked labour
• Do not employ children below the legal minimum age; protect young workers from hazardous work
• Provide safe, healthy workplaces; maintain health and safety management system, provide protective equipment and ensure training
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; prohibit discrimination and harassment
• Respect freedom of association and good-faith engagement with worker representatives

Planet and environment

• Minimise environmental impacts across sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, transport, contract performance and disposal
• Manage energy, water, emissions, and waste responsibly; comply with environmental laws
• Maintain emergency procedures to prevent and respond to incidents affecting communities or the environment

Integrity and governance

• Zero tolerance for bribery, corruption, and fraud; maintain transparent records
• Declare and manage conflicts of interest; prohibit giving and receiving gifts or hospitality intended to influence decisions
• Treat all University information, including staff and student details, as confidential
  • Such information must only be used for the purpose of fulfilling University requirements and must not be disclosed to third parties or used for marketing or other unrelated purposes. Suppliers must comply with all applicable privacy laws

Economic and social outcomes

Deliver economic benefits to Aotearoa New Zealand

For relevant procurements, suppliers must demonstrate how their proposals will deliver economic benefits to New Zealand (for example regional employment, skills and training, local supply chains, innovation, and community outcomes). Where the University includes an economic‑benefit criterion, it will apply a minimum evaluation weighting of 10 percent and will embed agreed economic‑benefit commitments in contracts and monitor delivery

Engage with and demonstrate support for New Zealand businesses

This includes diverse and local suppliers

Engage proactively with Indigenous/Māori suppliers

The University will actively identify, invite, and consider Māori‑owned or Māori‑led suppliers in relevant procurements, and encourages suppliers to partner with or subcontract to Māori suppliers where appropriate. For clarity, “Māori supplier” means a business that is Māori owned and operated in line with Te Puni Kōkiri guidance. The University will track and report on opportunities and engagement with Māori suppliers consistent with progressive procurement practice.

Reference

Government Procurement Charter

Suppliers to the University of Auckland must comply with all applicable New Zealand legislation and procurement standards, ensuring integrity, transparency, and responsible management of public funds.

Suppliers are required to:

• Provide documented evidence of compliance (e.g., certifications, policies, performance data), subject to audits, self-assessments, or independent verification
• Maintain robust health and safety and environmental practices across operations and supply chains, consistent with legal and contractual obligations
• Demonstrate commitment to supporting New Zealand’s economic and community outcomes through responsible sourcing, workforce development, and collaboration with local businesses where feasible
• Implement continuous improvement measures, including corrective actions and transparent reporting, to ensure ongoing compliance and performance enhancement
• Ensure subcontractors and supply chain partners uphold these obligations

Failure to comply may result in exclusion from future procurement opportunities.

The University of Auckland maintains zero tolerance for any transgression in the following areas, all of which represent breaches of international law and fundamental human rights.

We will not engage with suppliers involved in:

• Modern slavery, forced or bonded labour, including human trafficking
• Child labour, as defined by international conventions
• Inhumane or degrading treatment of workers
• Unsafe, life-threatening working conditions that endanger health or safety
• Deliberate, severe environmental harm causing significant and unlawful damage
• Serious human rights abuse as defined under international law, including crimes against humanity
• Bribery, corruption, or fraudulent practices in any form

Owner: Chief Financial Officer
Content Manager: Head of Strategic Procurement
Approved by: Chief Operating Officer and Registrar
Date approved: 17 December 2025
Next Review date: 18 June 2027