1 October 2017
From the October 2017 Transparency Times
2015 Corruption Perceptions Index revised
Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is the leading global indicator of public sector corruption. Several results for 2014 and 2015 have recently been corrected by the Transparency International Secretariat to adjust for errors discovered in auditing of past CPI results.
As a result, New Zealand's CPI 2015 score was raised from ‘88’ to ‘91’ with resultant improved global ranking from 4th place to 1st equal with Denmark.
In a recent announcement to its national Chapters, it was stated: “Transparency International is aware of the CPI's importance to our movement's overall reputation and aspire to the highest standards of accuracy. We have conducted a thorough review of all 2012 to 2016 CPIs. We have also changed our quality control process. We are confident that there are no further errors in these CPIs.” For more please see Transparency International's public media release.
An early warning to New Zealand’s forthcoming government was a key conclusion of the 2016 CPI in January.
Although New Zealand again ranked first equal with Denmark, the warning is: “This year’s results highlight the connection between corruption and inequality, which feed off each other to create a vicious circle between corruption, unequal distribution of power in society, and unequal distribution of wealth. The interplay of corruption and inequality also feeds populism. When traditional politicians fail to tackle corruption, people grow cynical.”
See Oxfam’s article in this newsletter about the new measure of inequality, the Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index. New Zealand’s poor showing in this index suggests we are at risk of increased corruption from within.