Political impartiality in schools

All state and state-integrated schools are part of the state education system and must remain politically impartial.

This can sometimes be challenging when board or staff members hold strong political views or wish to stand for an electoral position.

In their private lives, school staff and board members retain the same rights to freedom of speech and political activity as any other citizen.

School staff and board members can stand as candidates or campaign for a political party, as long as it’s in their personal capacity outside of school time. 

In a school setting, the terms “political neutrality” and “political impartiality” are often used interchangeably.

Keep reading to understand more about your obligations.

What does political impartiality mean?

It is the principle of avoiding bias or favouritism toward any political group, ideology, or individual.

It does not mean schools should avoid the topic entirely:

• Schools can teach students about the electoral process and how parliament is composed and operates.

• Schools and boards may also encourage staff, parents, and whānau to enrol and vote. 

Schools and boards cannot:

• Encourage people to vote (or not vote) for a particular party, candidate, or political policy

• Display or share party-political advertising, such as posters, pamphlets, social media posts, and billboards.

What does this mean for board members?

The Code of Conduct for State School Board Membersopen_in_new requires every board member to be politically impartial in their role as a board member.

As a board member, you must:

• Put students’ wellbeing, progress and achievement ahead of your personal beliefs or interests.

• Use information gained through your position only for its intended purpose.

• Identify and manage any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

• NOT endorse or campaign for a political party or candidate.

The distinction between acting personally and acting as a board member is therefore important.

If you have a campaign role or are a candidate, this may create an actual, potential, or perceived conflict. Disclose it so that your board can determine how to manage it.

If you are involved in any political activity (or could be perceived to be involved because of a close contact with someone who is), you should ensure you:

• Disclose it to your board

• Are NOT presenting your views as those of the board

• Are NOT using your board title to imply school support

• Are NOT using confidential school information to advance a political campaign

• Are NOT campaigning at school events, where the school community may perceive you as speaking for the board.

What does this mean for school staff?

Like board members, school staff may hold political views and participate in political activity privately, provided there is a clear distinction between their personal activity and their role at the school.

Applied in a school setting, the Public Services Commission’s guidanceopen_in_new supports a straightforward approach:

• Do NOT campaign for a party or candidate while at work.
• Do NOT use school email accounts, printers, contact details, or other publicly funded resources for political purposes.
• Do NOT distribute political material through official workplace channels.

The same care is needed online.

The Commission advises that personal political comments should be kept separate from a person’s work role and warns that private social media activity can become public. 

For principals, senior leaders, and other publicly visible staff, personal comments mustn’t be presented as if they were speaking for their school or board.

If a member of staff is standing for election to parliament, there are some employment factors to consider. You can learn more in the Ministry’s Education Circular 2026/12open_in_new.

Can an election meeting be held on school grounds?

Election candidates are permitted to hold public meetings in school rooms or spaces free of charge. 

Providing a space for an election meeting does not change the school’s obligation to remain politically impartial.

Any arrangement should be administered neutrally to avoid being mistaken as an endorsement of the candidate.

For more information, read section 154, Electoral Act 1993open_in_new.

A question your board could ask

When considering an election-related activity, boards and school leaders should ask:

• Could a reasonable person interpret this as the school or board supporting or opposing a political party, candidate, or policy?

If the answer is yes, the activity should be separated more clearly from the school.

If in doubt, please get in touch with us.

Templates, resources, and references

Click on the link(s) below to access this topic’s templates, resources, and references.

Depending on your device, these may download or open in a separate browser. 

Ministry of Education 

• Code of Conduct for State School Board Membersopen_in_new
• Education Circular 2026/12open_in_new
• 2026 General Election information for schoolsopen_in_new

Public Service Commission

• Election guidanceopen_in_new 

Legislation

• Section 154, Electoral Act 1993open_in_new