While current politics and media portray Te Tiriti o Waitangi in divisive ways, it’s good to remember that the Treaty, when honoured in its true spirit, is the basis for kotahitanga —the unity of our shared nationhood. At the Policy Place we help agencies give practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through responsive policies…
In an increasingly complex world, the protection and promotion of human rights are more essential than ever. With political landscapes shifting toward conservatism in many countries, including Aotearoa/New Zealand, the rights of minorities are often left vulnerable. But there is good news: organisations, whether they are businesses, or non-profits, have the power to champion human…
In today’s fast-changing technological and regulatory environments, compliance risks for businesses are significant. Businesses face increasing scrutiny from regulators, customers, and other stakeholders to meet legal obligations and uphold best practices. As 2025 unfolds, here are the top compliance risks businesses need to be aware of—and strategies to address them effectively. 1. Data Privacy and…
In light of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, the urgent need for systemic change is clear. The harrowing stories shared by abuse survivors highlight critical gaps in safeguarding policies that must be addressed. Organisations in Aotearoa now have an unprecedented opportunity to protect vulnerable individuals by implementing robust safeguarding measures, ensuring…
At The Policy Place, we are committed to regularly reviewing and updating our online policies to ensure they meet the highest standards and reflect the latest developments in the field. Our next review will focus on policies related to abuse, child protection, and safeguarding vulnerable adults. These policies are crucial for compliance with the Social…
Navigating compliance and policy requirements for ACC Sensitive Claims Services is challenging. Strict standards must be adhered to in areas like trauma-informed care, health and safety, cultural competence, and client-centred service. But keeping policies updated and compliant can drain valuable time and resources from your team. The Policy Place is a well known provider of…
For social and community agencies in Aotearoa, managing limited government and philanthropic funding often presents tough decisions around employment. One approach that agencies may be tempted to use is hiring individuals as contractors instead of employees, especially when funding is time-limited. However, this strategy can backfire. It risks falling into sham contracting – where workers…
Introduction Te Reo Māori, the Māori language, is a cornerstone of our cultural heritage as a country. It is not just a means of communication but a vital expression of identity, history, and community for Māori. However, the journey of Te Reo Māori has been and continues to be held back by racist approaches that…
Co-design is a user-centred approach that helps organisations create services and products that genuinely meet the needs of their users. At the Policy Place we support agencies to achieve success through co-design. We provide policies and procedures to support the co-design methodology while ensuring an ethical approach and compliance with the law and regulations. In…
We’ve just introduced Policy Tracking and Reporting for members of the Police Place’s online policy service. This new function provides managers with valuable information about the views and use of organisational policies and procedures. It also offers evidence of compliance that organizations can use for audits and assessments, ensuring adherence to the Social Sector Accreditation…