NZ Child Safety: Code of Conduct for Gospel Workers

Review date: 31 July 2028
To be reviewed 3 yearly.

This Code of Conduct is for members of the NZ Ministry (Gospel Workers) and overseas Workers visiting New Zealand and sets out the expectations of conduct, behaviour and interactions with children and young people that supports our commitment to Child Safety.

While Gospel Workers are committed to a life consistent with the teaching, example, and spirit of Jesus Christ, this Code focuses on practical and ethical standards that ensure safety, accountability and respect, in regard to interactions with children and young people. Gospel Workers are also expected to;

• Take all reasonable steps to protect children and young people from abuse, harm and risk of harm.

• Raise concerns if they identify any risks to the safety of a child or young person.

• Ask for help if uncertain about child safety, this Code of Conduct, or if they believe they have breached this Code of Conduct.

• Participate in ministry recommended training including training on child safety and wellbeing.

• Raise any conflict of interest, bias or partiality when handling reports of or suspicion of harm or abuse of a child.

• Listen and respond to children and young people with respect and dignity.

• Take disclosures of harm or abuse made by a child or young person seriously.

• Value the ideas and opinions of children and young people and give them a voice.

• Be a positive role model to children and follow guidelines relating to physical contact and psychological safety.

• Comply with all policies/procedures/guidelines provided to them

• Be transparent in their actions and whereabouts in relation to contact with children.

• Respect a child’s boundaries and physical space.

• Respect any communicated boundaries parents have in place.

Gospel Workers must not condone, participate or engage in any unacceptable or harmful behaviour (i.e illegal, unsafe or abusive) towards children such as sexual abuse and misconduct, physical violence, emotional and psychological abuse, grooming, and neglect. Unacceptable/Harmful behaviour includes;

• Engaging in the grooming of children and/or families and communities, including developing ‘special’ relationships with specific children, displaying favouritism through the provision of gifts or unsuitable attention in person or online.

• Developing inappropriate or sexual relationships, or any form of sexual contact with children.

• Using language that is inappropriate, offensive, harassing, abusive, or sexually suggestive or provocative when speaking around children and young people.

• Using any computer, mobile phone, or other electronic device to access digital material that contains child sexual abuse or to expolit, harass or groom children.

• Hitting or physically assaulting children, including physical or verbal punishment.

• Disciplining children.

• Doing things for children of a personal nature that they or their parents/caregiver can do. e.g. assisting with toileting.

• Initiating, manipulating or influencing situations in order to spend time alone with children.

• Inviting any child to enter a bedroom with you.

• Interacting with children that causes them to feel uncomfortable, afraid or disempowered.

NZ Child Safety: Code of Conduct for Gospel Workers V1 13 Aug 2025