The Museums Aotearoa Ethics Subcommittee, formed in 2024, set out to shore up our own Code of Ethics so it is as helpful and practical as possible for members. 

In the past there was an unhelpful overlap with our own Code of Ethics and that put forward by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). 

The team’s approach has been to develop a suite of complementary principles and corresponding application guidance, rather than a set of rules.

This reflects Aotearoa’s unique working environment including advice that promotes meaningful governance relationships with iwi Māori, repatriation, WAI262 and approaches to decolonisation. The suggested principles do this while also aligning with the ICOM Code of Ethics (itself currently up for review).

Feedback is currently being reviewed and incorporated into a draft Code of Ethics.