Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Action Plan 2026-2031
This organisational Inclusion Equity and Diversity Plan communicate's the Department's strategic intent and focus areas for 2026-31. This plan incorporates outcomes outlined in the Public Service Workforce Strategy, and the previous goals in Kia Toipoto, Papa Pounamu and the Gender Pay Gap Action plans.
Download Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Action Plan 2026-2031 PDF, 1.1 MB
Our purpose
This plan enables the People Plan to deliver a safe, supported, and capable workforce at Department of Corrections - Ara Poutama Aotearoa.
It clearly articulates our organisational commitment to building a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and strengthened by diversity. It provides an organisation-wide framework and priority focus areas for the next five years, setting shared expectations that inclusion, equity, and diversity are embedded in everyday practice, decision making, and leadership.
Inclusion, equity, and diversity are critical enablers of staff safety, wellbeing, and capability. The work our people undertake is complex, demanding, and often high risk. When staff feel respected, valued, and able to be themselves at work, psychological safety is strengthened. This supports people to speak up, learn, collaborate, and seek help when needed. Inclusive environments improve wellbeing and engagement, reduce harm and conflict, and enable staff to perform effectively in challenging conditions.
Equity across systems, processes, and everyday practices ensures fair access to opportunities, development, and progression. This enables all staff to build capability and contribute fully, reinforcing a culture aligned with our values and focused on positive outcomes. Together, inclusion and equity drive engagement, performance, and retention.
This plan builds on existing work, identifies priority gaps, and aligns organisational effort to strengthen these conditions. Its intent is to create and sustain a workforce that is safe, well supported, and capable, recognising that inclusive and equitable systems underpin wellbeing, trust, performance, and effective risk
management.
Inclusion, equity, and diversity also directly enable delivery of Hōkai Rangi by strengthening relationships, improving collaboration, and supporting continuous learning and change. A more inclusive workplace enhances decision making in complex environments and contributes to better outcomes for those in our care and under our supervision.
This plan gives effect to our organisational outcomes, values, and people strategies, and supports our obligations as a public service employer under the Public Service Act 2020, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and wider good employer expectations. It reinforces that inclusion, equity, and diversity are not separate initiatives, but core to how Corrections leads, operates, and delivers its mandate.
Our key focus areas
- Addressing bias and discrimination
- Cultural capability and safety
- Improved support, safety, and wellbeing for identity-based communities
- Amplifying and strengthening the voice of our people