Volunteer vetting

Your event has a duty of care to its participants and it is your responsibility to consider the different levels of vetting required depending on the position being carried out by volunteers.

The New Zealand Police provides a vetting service for approved organisations only. The types of organisations that are eligible for vetting services are those who are responsible for providing care to children, older people and more vulnerable members of society.

The Rugby World Cup was an exception to the above; on this occasion all the RWC volunteers were Police vetted as part of a 'Police threat assessment exercise'.

We suggest you also take the following steps: 

• All volunteers should be required to provide more than one referee.
• All volunteers must complete a disclaimer about health and convictions in your volunteer application form.
  • Download the Volunteer Application Form template [532 KB PDF]
• Some volunteers will require police vetting, particularly when their position involves young or vulnerable people. Seek advice from the New Zealand Police Vetting Services if you have any doubts.
  Visit the New Zealand Police website 'Licensing and vetting services'
• You can also encourage volunteers to seek their own criminal check. The Ministry of Justice provides a free online service.
  Visit the Ministry of Justice website 'Get a copy of your criminal record'