(1)
In order to achieve the purpose in section 9, the public service principles are:
Politically neutral
to act in a politically neutral manner; and
Free and frank advice
when giving advice to Ministers, to do so in a free and frank manner; and
Merit-based appointments
to make merit-based appointments (unless an exception applies under this Act); and
Open government
to foster a culture of open government; and
Stewardship
to proactively promote stewardship of the public service, including of—
its long-term capability and its people; and
its institutional knowledge and information; and
its systems and processes; and
its assets; and
the legislation administered by agencies.
(2)
Public service chief executives are responsible for—
upholding the public service principles when carrying out their responsibilities and functions under section 50; and
ensuring that the agencies they lead or carry out some functions for also do so.
(3)
A chief executive is responsible only to the Commissioner for carrying out the responsibilities under subsection (2).
(4)
Boards of Crown agents are responsible for ensuring that the entities they govern uphold the public service principles when carrying out their functions.
(5)
The responsibility of a board of a Crown agent under subsection (4) is a collective duty of the board under the Crown Entities Act 2004 that is owed only to the responsible Minister in accordance with section 58 of that Act.