Confidentiality and Judging Ethics

Confidentiality

All awards entry documentation and Official Entry Forms are treated as confidential.

Applicants are not expected to provide or reveal proprietary information regarding products, processes or services. Judges are assigned in a way to avoid conflicts of interest.

All Judges sign nondisclosure agreements.

Information regarding participation, any awards, or successful strategies may be released only after written approval from the applicant.

Judging Ethics

For the award process to be effective there must be unquestionable fairness and objectivity for all concerned. Detailed policies and procedures are in place to ensure this end.

• The decisions of the Panel of Judges are final.
• Each Judge is bound by a strict Code of Ethics and may not participate in any scoring or recognition decision where there may be, or could appear to be, any personal, professional, financial or other relationship or potential or perceived conflicts of interest. Note, however, that all Judges are encouraged to support the development of applications by their own and/or other organizations as a valuable part of the continuous learning experience for all.
• Each Judge has volunteered their time without compensation and is committed to assist with the success of the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards and to providing objective feedback to the entrant.