Effective from 1 April 2026
The Aotearoa New Zealand Physiotherapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (The Code) makes up one part of the physiotherapy standards framework.
The Code has 10 principles that reflect the values considered fundamental to the practice of physiotherapy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This is a summary of each of the principles, and not a replacement for the Code as a whole. The specific duties of physiotherapists are set out in the full Code document.
Physiotherapists respect kiritaki and their whānau and families.
Physiotherapists must uphold the trust placed in them by respecting the dignity, privacy, bodily integrity, mental wellbeing, culture, identity, values, beliefs and lived experience of kiritaki. They must not impose their own beliefs or values and must maintain respectful conduct.
Physiotherapists act to promote the health and wellbeing of the kiritakiwhile acknowledging, respecting, and facilitating kiritaki autonomy.
Physiotherapists must prioritise the health and wellbeing of kiritaki, involve them in decision‐making, support their right to choose or refuse treatment, ensure informed consent is given freely through clear communication, and follow legal requirements where decision making capacity is compromised.
Physiotherapists must maintain appropriate professional boundaries and not exploit kiritaki. Physiotherapists must be alert to the needs of vulnerable kiritaki and consider legal and ethical obligations where there are concerns about abuse.
Physiotherapists protect confidentiality, privacy, and security of kiritaki information.
Physiotherapists must protect and securely store kiritaki information, only disclose information when legally permitted or with recorded consent, and access kiritaki information only for a lawful reason.
Physiotherapists treat people fairly.
Physiotherapists must not discriminate, bully, harass, or enable and facilitate bullying and harassment. They must use fair and transparent rationale when allocating resources and advocate to promote health equity and improve access to services. Physiotherapists should only feel able to refuse to treat kiritaki if they have sound reason.
Physiotherapists practice in a safe, competent and accountable manner.
Physiotherapists must work within their scope, use best available evidence, and practice according to the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. They must provide appropriate and justifiable services, manage safety and risks, keep accurate records, comply with relevant laws, and ensure kiritaki safety when teaching physiotherapy skills to others.
Physiotherapists act with integrity in all professional activities.
Physiotherapists must provide accurate information, disclose financial or personal interests, act honestly in all professional contexts, consider the influence from gifts, koha or incentives on their professional judgement and manage conflicts of interest. They must be open and honest when things go wrong and provide information to kiritaki about avenues for raising concerns or complaints.
Physiotherapists strive for continual improvement in the practice of physiotherapy.
Physiotherapists must undertake continual learning and development. They must obtain ethics approval for research, be transparent about research funding or support, and ensure research remuneration does not influence their clinical judgement. Physiotherapists should ensure that innovative approaches are evaluated as safe for kiritaki.
Physiotherapists communicate effectively and collaborate with colleagues, and other health professionals and agencies, for the benefit of their kiritaki and the wider community.
Physiotherapists must communicate effectively and collaborate with others to achieve optimal outcomes, refer kiritaki appropriately, and behave respectfully in all media and communication to and about others.
Physiotherapists take responsibility for maintaining their own health and wellbeing.
Physiotherapists must engage in activities that encourage self‐awareness and reflective practice.
Physiotherapists must not practise while their judgment or skill may be affected by alcohol, drugs or psychoactive substances. They should recognise when conditions such as fatigue, stress, physical or mental illness may affect their practice, and take appropriate steps.
Physiotherapists accept responsibility for upholding the integrity of the profession.
Physiotherapists must report any unsafe or unethical behaviours by health professionals that they become aware of, or any matters that could endanger a kiritaki or others. The Code outlines the obligations under the HPCAA to report these concerns to the appropriate authority. Physiotherapists should support the education of students and colleagues.
