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Supplier Code of Conduct Supplier Code of Conduct

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

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What is the 2023 AT Supplier Code of Conduct?

The Auckland Transport Supplier Code of Conduct is the foundation document requiring 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. Following review of the Supplier Code between February 2023 and July 2023, a number of updates (link to section below) have been identified and have been incorporated into a revised 2023 version.

Download AT’s 2023 Supplier Code of Conduct (PDF 6MB)

What action do we need all our Suppliers to take?

Suppliers are required to commit to the expectations under each of the seven principles detailed in this Supplier Code, as a condition of doing business with AT.

We request that an authorized person from the organization does the following:

  1. Read the Auckland Transport 2023 Supplier Code of Conduct (PDF 6 MB)
  2. Complete and sign the AT Supplier Code of Conduct Acknowledgement form(.DOCX 875KB)
  3. Email the completed and signed acknowledgement form to sustainableprocurement@at.govt.nz

If you have any questions or feedback about our process, please contact us at 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.

Auckland Transport requires a commitment from our suppliers, at a minimum, to:

  • Meet the expectations under the seven principles set out in this Code or to have established a clear goal toward meeting the expectations under the principles set forth in the Code.
  • Actively review, monitor and modify their management processes and business operations to ensure alignment with the expectations under the seven principles in the Code.
  • Notify Auckland Transport of any departures from the expectations under the principles of the Code and take reasonable steps to address, remedy and prevent repetition of any actions that are inconsistent with the Code.

How does AT verify compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct?

Auckland Transport reserves the right to verify compliance with all the principles in the Code and requires suppliers to cooperate and provide 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, or cooperating with site visits or audits by Auckland Transport or our agents. Where non-compliance is identified, Suppliers are required to work with Auckland Transport on a Corrective Action Plan and a Continuous Improvement Pathway. Major noncompliance will be treated as breech of agreement and may lead to contract termination.

Auckland Transport expects that its suppliers will work with their own suppliers and contractors to ensure that they 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 are required to seek more data through monitoring, audits and third-party verification, where necessary. 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 does the 2023 version of the Supplier Code differ from the 2019 version?

  • Since publication of the Supplier Code in 2019, several AT plans and policies have been developed relating to Sustainability and Climate Change, including Hīkina Te Wero: AT’s Environment Action Plan, the Sustainable Procurement Action Plan and the Climate Change policy. These plans and policies are now referenced and their goals integrated into the 2023 version of the Supplier Code.
  • 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. 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 and the actions they are taking to prevent, mitigate and remediate those risks. The legislation will be introduced to Parliament for debate in 2024. 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 requires a commitment from our suppliers not only to comply with the minimum legislation around disclosure and reporting requirements, but also to undertake appropriate levels of due diligence to identify and address modern slavery and worker exploitation risks in supply chains, in alignment 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, which 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 to respect AT policies relating to ethical business. These policies are now referenced in the updated Supplier Code.
  • The 4th Edition of the Government Procurement Rules stipulate that government agencies must pay suppliers promptly and encourage suppliers to pay their subcontractors promptly. Agencies should also encourage suppliers to offer subcontractors no less favourable payment terms than the ones they receive from agencies. The 2023 AT Supplier Code has been updated to align with this strengthened requirement around prompt payment and favourable payment terms for sub-contractors.