The Code of Ethics defines key values and standards for youth workers in Aotearoa New Zealand.

It’s not a how-to on youth work, but provides ethical guidance for youth workers so they can keep themselves safe in their work, and give their best to the young people they work with.

The code is based around the same six principles of the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa:

1. Whanaungatanga/Quality Relationships
2. Hononga/Connectedness
3. Urunga/Youth Participation
4. Hakamanatia Ngā Uara Rangatahi/Consistent Strengths-based Approach
5. Te Ao Rangatahi/The Big Picture
6. Hakamanatia te Whanaketanga/Good Information

Using these themes, the Code of Ethics outlines 28 clauses and provides practical examples of how they might apply in youth work.

It’s intended to be consistent with the responsibilities of Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti, agreed to in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.