About the Code
The Code of Ethics is for Governing Bodies, Managers and Staff of Museums and Art Galleries in Aotearoa New Zealand. It was adopted by Museums Aotearoa Te Tari o Ngā Whare Taonga o te Motu The Museums of New Zealand Inc on 20 November 2013.
Review of CoE and addition of Repatriation Addendum
In 2020 MA began a review of the Code of Ethics and the proposed addition of a guidance document for repatriation, the National Repatriation addendum for Kōiwi Tangata and Associated Burial Taonga within Aotearoa.
The Repatriation Policy was adopted by members at the Annual General Meeting held 24 June 2021. The Code of Ethics is yet to be finalised and adopted.
Check the documents out here (members only):
Code of Ethics 2021 (final draft)
Comparison of 2013 and draft 2021 CoEs
CoE Table of Contents - online
The following links are to view the current Code of Ethics (2013) online:
Introduction
Responsibilities of governing bodies and relevant local authority managers
- To the museum
- To the staff of the museum
Responsibilities of museum and art gallery managers
- To the public
- To museum and gallery staff
- To the collections in their care
- Exhibition, research and public programmes
- Operations
Responsibilities of museum and art gallery staff
- To managers and the governing body
- To the museum
- To the public
- To the collection
- Exhibitions, research and public programmes
Appendix A
Natural history ethics for Aotearoa New Zealand
Appendix B
Human remains policy and practice
Appendix C
Museums Aotearoa Ethics Committee terms of reference
Appendix D
Other relevant codes and sources of information for New Zealand practitioners
Appendix E
The UNESCO and UNIDROIT conventions
Download a PDF copy
Find a downloadable copy of the Code of Ethics in our publications repository