Code of Conduct

Ngā tikanga haumaru o Ipurangi Aotearoa | InternetNZ Members’ Code of Conduct

Welcome to Ipurangi Aotearoa | InternetNZ. You’ve joined an incorporated society committed to fostering a safer Internet for all in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our diverse membership community brings a wide range of priorities and interests — a source of both opportunity and strength. We actively welcome and encourage diverse perspectives across our membership.

As a member of InternetNZ, the way you conduct yourself matters. This Code of Conduct sets out the behavioural standards expected of all members and outlines the consequences of non-compliance.

Objects of the Society

InternetNZ administers the .nz Domain Name Space for the collective benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand. It operates exclusively for the benefit of the community by:

a) Promoting and contributing to an open, global, resilient and secure Internet for current and future generations.

b) Maintaining the .nz Domain Name Space to meet local and international standards and obligations.

c) Promoting and supporting an Internet that users experience as fair, inclusive and accessible.

d) Promoting and actively participating in multistakeholder Internet governance processes locally and internationally.

e) Promoting and conducting research related to the development of the Internet.

f) Collaborating with, and coordinating across, the wider Aotearoa New Zealand Internet community, the general public, Māori, New Zealand government agencies, and other organisations when giving effect to the above objects.

Core principles: expectations of all members of the Society

InternetNZ is committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for everyone.

As outlined in clause 2.6.1 of our Constitution, all members must follow the rules of the Society, including the Constitution and this Code of Conduct. Members are expected to uphold this Code of Conduct when engaging on any InternetNZ platforms — including, but not limited to, all online and digital member spaces, social media, emails, online chat channels, and at in-person events.

InternetNZ expects every member to:

uphold and actively support the Objects of the Society for the benefit of Aotearoa, New Zealand
interact with honesty, respect, and integrity, and contribute to a culture of openness and collaboration
listen with intent, value diverse perspectives, and seek to understand others
empower, build and uplift the mana of others, and assume good faith in all interactions
exercise discretion and care when engaging in InternetNZ spaces
avoid any actions or conduct that could bring the Society into disrepute or undermine its objects.

Examples of unsatisfactory conduct

This Code of Conduct is not exhaustive; it encapsulates our shared commitment to a respectful, collaborative environment and common goals. We expect it to be upheld in spirit as well as in practice.

Behaviours that breach this Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to, any instance of:

intimidating, harassing, disrespectful, abusive or discriminatory conduct
impersonation of individuals
unwanted photography or recording, including recording or posting without the original author’s permission
physical or verbal intimidation that discourages participation
non-consensual physical contact or sexual comments
stalking (either online or in person)
sustained disruption of a discussion
unrequested communication to another member and/or InternetNZ after being asked to stop by the member or InternetNZ
Ad hominem attacks (personal insults or attacks on someone’s character rather than their ideas).

Reporting and complaints

If you experience or witness behaviour that may breach this Code of Conduct, please report it so it can be addressed fairly and consistently.

How to make a complaint

Any member may make a complaint, which should be submitted in writing to one of the following:

Email the complaint directly to moderator@internetnz.net.nz
Contact the membership team at membership@internetnz.net.nz
If applicable at in-person events, report the matter to a member of staff or a Board member present at any InternetNZ event or engagement. (Please note: oral complaints must be followed up with a written account.)

Reports should include enough detail to allow the respondent a fair opportunity to respond.

InternetNZ will acknowledge receipt of complaints within five working days and handle all matters with discretion, fairness, and in accordance with the principles outlined in our Constitution.

How complaints are handled

InternetNZ follows the dispute resolution process for complaints and appeals as set out in Part 5 of the Constitution. This includes:

acknowledging and assessing the complaint
ensuring all parties are fairly advised of allegations and have the right to be heard
investigating the matter in a fair, timely, and culturally appropriate manner, consistent with tikanga principles such as manaaki tangata and mahia kia tika.

Where appropriate, InternetNZ may refer the complaint to an external investigator or panel, or seek a consensual or tikanga-based resolution between parties.

InternetNZ reserves the right not to proceed with complaints that do not meet the threshold for action, as outlined in clause 5.6 of the Constitution.

Outcomes

If a breach of the Code of Conduct is established, the Society may take actions, including, but not limited to:

issuing a written warning
temporarily suspending membership or participation rights
permanently removing a member in accordance with clause 2.8 and clause 2.9 and the relevant sections of Part 5 of the Constitution.
Members must immediately cease any behaviour identified as breaching the Code of Conduct when requested.

Appealing the decision

If you disagree with the outcome of a complaint process, you may request a review by contacting the Chairperson at chairperson@internetnz.net.nz or the Deputy Chairperson at deputy.chairperson@internetnz.net.nz.

An appeal must be made within 60 days of the decision.