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Advantage Supplier Code of Conduct
Our Commitment to Responsible Partnerships in New Zealand
Welcome to the Advantage Supplier Code of Conduct. This document lays out our expectations for anyone who supplies goods or services to Advantage. We believe that doing the right thing is as important as doing things right. That’s why we’re committed to fair, ethical, and environmentally responsible business practices—and we expect our suppliers to share these values.
Why We Have a Supplier Code of Conduct
We work with a wide range of suppliers, from large companies to small local businesses, and we want every relationship to be built on trust and respect. This Code of Conduct helps make sure our suppliers know what we stand for, what we expect, and how we work together. It’s not about formality—it’s about making sure we’re all on the same page.
Our Standards and Expectations
We ask that all suppliers follow New Zealand laws, regulations, and local requirements, as well as these core principles:
- Act Lawfully: Suppliers must comply with all relevant local and national laws. That includes the Health and Safety at Work Act, Employment Relations Act, Privacy Act, and Fair Trading Act, among others. If you’re unsure about a requirement, please ask us or seek local advice.
- Respect for People: Everyone deserves to be treated fairly. Suppliers must not discriminate based on gender, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any protected status. We expect suppliers to provide a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment.
- Health and Safety First: Suppliers are expected to provide workplaces that are safe and healthy. This means identifying and managing risks, reporting incidents, and making continuous improvements. Please follow best practices and New Zealand’s health and safety laws at all times.
- Fair Employment: Suppliers must pay employees fairly and on time. Forced labour, child labour, and inhumane treatment are strictly prohibited. Contracts and working conditions should be clear, and employees should have access to grievance procedures without fear of retaliation.
- Environmental Responsibility: We encourage suppliers to reduce their environmental impact. That means using resources wisely, minimising waste, and recycling where possible. Suppliers should comply with environmental laws and aim to improve their sustainability practices.
- Ethical Sourcing: Materials, products, and services should be sourced in a way that’s responsible and traceable. Suppliers are expected to avoid using goods linked to modern slavery or environmental harm. Transparency matters—know your supply chain.
- Business Integrity: We expect honesty in all business dealings. Suppliers must avoid bribery, corruption, fraud, and conflicts of interest. Gifts and hospitality should be appropriate and not intended to influence decisions.
- Privacy and Data Protection: Suppliers must protect confidential information and personal data. Follow the Privacy Act 2020 and take sensible measures to prevent unauthorised access, use, or disclosure.
- Community Engagement: Where possible, we encourage suppliers to support local communities—whether through employment, responsible sourcing, or charitable activities.
How We Work Together
We see our suppliers as partners. Here’s how we aim to collaborate:
- Open Communication: If you’re facing challenges or have concerns, let us know early. We value honesty and want to work together to solve problems quickly.
- Feedback and Improvement: We’ll share feedback to help you meet our standards, and we welcome yours in return. Continuous improvement benefits everyone.
- Monitoring: We may occasionally review or audit supplier practices to ensure compliance. We’ll always aim to be fair and transparent in this process.
- Reporting Issues: If you become aware of any breach of this code—by your company or others—please let us know as soon as possible. We’ll take all reports seriously and treat them confidentially.
- Corrective Action: If there are concerns about compliance, we’ll work with you to put things right. In serious cases, we may need to review our relationship.
New Zealand Laws That Matter Most
Here are some of the main pieces of legislation that apply to our suppliers, with a short explanation of each:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015: Sets out the responsibility of every business to keep workers and visitors safe.
- Employment Relations Act 2000: Covers fair employment practices, including contracts, wages, and working conditions.
- Human Rights Act 1993: Makes it illegal to discriminate against people based on protected characteristics.
- Privacy Act 2020: Regulates how personal information is collected, stored, and used.
- Fair Trading Act 1986: Requires businesses to be honest and fair in advertising and selling products.
- Minimum Wage Act 1983: Sets the minimum hourly pay rates for workers.
- Modern Slavery and Worker Exploitation Legislation: Requires due diligence to avoid modern slavery risks, including new regulations and reporting requirements.
Our Approach to Problem Solving
Mistakes happen. If something goes wrong or you’re unsure about a requirement, please get in touch so we can work it out. We prefer collaboration over confrontation—solving problems together produces better results.
- Contact us through your regular Advantage contact
- If you discover a breach or potential issue, act quickly and let us know.
- We’ll support you in making improvements, but serious or repeated breaches may lead to ending our partnership.
How We Support Our Suppliers
We want our suppliers to succeed. Here’s what you can expect from us:
- Clear Information: We’ll provide clear guidelines and requirements upfront, and answer your questions as best we can.
- Respect and Fairness: We treat all suppliers fairly and value diversity and inclusion.
- Timely Payments: We pay invoices promptly and expect the same reliability from our suppliers.
- Opportunities for Growth: Where possible, we’ll support local suppliers and encourage innovation and new ideas.
What Happens If Expectations Aren’t Met?
If a supplier doesn’t meet these standards, we’ll follow a fair process to address the issue:
- We’ll discuss the problem openly and give you a chance to respond.
- If needed, we’ll agree on a plan for improvement and monitor progress.
- Continued non-compliance or serious breaches may result in suspension or termination of the relationship.
- We’ll keep records of all issues and resolutions.
Final Thoughts
At Advantage, we’re proud to work with suppliers who share our commitment to doing business the right way. We believe that responsible sourcing, fair treatment, and environmental care make for stronger partnerships and a better New Zealand.
Thanks for being part of Advantage’s journey!