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Supplier Code of Conduct Supplier Code of Conduct

The Auckland Transport (AT) Supplier Code of Conduct sets out minimum expectations for all suppliers and contractors providing goods and services to AT.

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About the 2023 AT Supplier Code of Conduct

The Supplier Code of Conduct is a foundation document. It requires commitment from our suppliers to best practice relating to social, environmental, ethical and financial responsibility. The scope of the Code includes suppliers’ parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and subcontractors.

AT’s first Supplier Code was published in 2019. We reviewed it between February 2023 and July 2023 and identified some updates. We incorporated them into a revised 2023 version.

Actions we need all our suppliers to take

All active suppliers, including those newly onboarded and awarded contracts, must commit to the expectations outlined under the 7 principles in our Supplier Code. This commitment is a condition of doing business with AT.

When awarded a contract, we ask that an authorised person from the organisation:

If you have any questions or feedback about our process, email sustainableprocurement@at.govt.nz.

Auckland Transport acknowledges that achieving the expectations under the principles set out in the Code will be an ongoing and collaborative process.

Minimum commitments AT needs from suppliers

We need a commitment from our suppliers to meet the expectations under the 7 principles set out in this Code. Or, they need to have established a clear goal toward meeting the expectations under the principles set forth in the Code.

We also need them to actively review, monitor and modify their management processes and business operations. They need to align with the expectations under the 7 principles in the Code.

Lastly, they should:

  • tell us of any departures from the expectations under the principles of the Code
  • take reasonable steps to address, remedy and prevent repetition of any actions that are inconsistent with the Code.

How AT verifies compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct

Auckland Transport reserves the right to verify compliance with all the principles in the Code. We need suppliers to cooperate and give us supporting evidence upon request.

This may involve:

  • becoming a member of, or entering into partnership with, an approved ethical sourcing and auditing third party
  • completion of self-assessment questionnaires
  • cooperating with site visits or audits by Auckland Transport or our agents.

Where noncompliance is identified, suppliers must work with Auckland Transport on a corrective action plan and a continuous improvement pathway. Major noncompliance will be treated as breach of agreement and may lead to contract termination.

We expect our suppliers to make sure their own suppliers and contractors are committed to all the principles of the Auckland Transport Supplier Code of Conduct. For those businesses, employers, contractors and suppliers in supply chains that are high risk, suppliers need to seek more data. They should do this through monitoring, audits and third-party verification, where needed. Where non-compliance is identified, our suppliers are required to work with their supply chain on a corrective action plan and a continuous improvement pathway.

How the 2023 version of the Supplier Code differs from the 2019 version

Since 2019, AT have developed several plans and policies relating to sustainability and climate change. This includes:

There are a number of requirements we need to ensure our suppliers are meeting as part of our membership of the Climate Leaders Coalition. These requirements are referenced in the 2023 version of the Supplier Code.

On 28 July 2023, the New Zealand Government announced legislation to tackle modern slavery and worker exploitation in supply chains. For more information, see the MBIE website (opens in a new tab). Under the proposed law, organisations with NZ$20 million or more in annual revenue will need to report on modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. They will also need to say what actions they are taking to prevent, mitigate and remediate those risks. The legislation will be introduced to Parliament for debate.  Once enacted, this legislation will require businesses operating in New Zealand to identify, address and report on modern slavery risks within their operations and supply chains, and AT expects all suppliers to proactively align with these obligations. A digital disclosure register accessible to the public will be established, allowing everyone to see the information. Penalties will apply for non-compliance. The AT Supplier Code has been updated to include reference to the proposed legislative requirements around disclosure of information relating to modern slavery and worker exploitation risks. The 2023 Supplier Code doesn’t just ask our suppliers to comply with the minimum legislation around disclosure and reporting requirements. It also asks them to identify and address modern slavery and worker exploitation risks in supply chains. This aligns with international best practice and the AT Ethical and Responsible Sourcing Framework that is being developed.

In 2022, AT launched its 2022-2027 Safety, Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It is supported by the Safety in Procurement Action Plan. The goals of the strategy and plan are reflected in the updated Supplier Code.

Suppliers need to be aware of and respect AT ethical business policies. These policies are referenced in the updated Supplier Code.

The Government Procurement Rules (opens in a new tab) stipulate that government agencies must pay suppliers promptly. It encourages suppliers to pay their subcontractors promptly. Agencies should also encourage suppliers to offer subcontractors no less favourable payment terms than the ones they get from agencies. The 2023 AT Supplier Code was updated to align with this strengthened requirement around prompt payment and favourable payment terms for subcontractors.