Transparency International New Zealand calls on parliamentarians and political parties to re-affirm their support for essential democratic processes. We urge them to reject behaviours that narrow checks on power at the executive level, that invite undue influence on public policymaking, and that inhibit public participation.
We call on political parties and politicians to support:
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Greater transparency of who is influencing who on what. Lobbying is important to democracy, but we are woefully behind our country peers in having transparency about who is influencing who on what.
Professional lobbying is having an increasingly uneven impact on public policy making. We call for political parties to bring our country in line with comparable nations and put in place a register of lobbyists, a mandatory code of conduct, a regulator, and controls on the slick movement of lobbyists between industries and government.
Reduction of use of ‘urgency’. This mechanism is being used too often, to fast-track legislation, bypassing or minimising citizen participation and select committee informed analysis and debate.
The impact of the use of urgency is a loss of faith in democracy. This must not continue. We need stronger Cabinet Manual guidance and strengthened Standing Orders, that demands a ‘positive test’ for the use of urgency.
Real-time transparency of political donations. Our disclosure of political donations comes too late and too infrequently to inform voters. Voters should be able to see who is funding campaigns before they cast their vote.
We need real time and continuous disclosure of political party funding like the Queensland model (more on that in our next newsletter). We need an overall cap on donations and caps on donations from individuals or organisations. We need declarations of beneficial ownership where any donations are made by companies or trusts. All of the above require a more empowered Electoral Commission.
What can you do?
Transparency only works if people use it. Here are a few simple ways to help strengthen political integrity:
- Ask questions – Raise transparency issues with candidates and parties. Where do they stand on real-time donation disclosure and tighter rules?
- Push for better disclosure – Encourage clearer, more detailed reporting in party manifestos and financial returns.
- Make it an election issue – Signal that political integrity and transparency matter to you as a voter.
- Stay informed – Follow donation disclosures and look beyond the headlines.
- Share the message – Help widen the conversation by sharing articles, posts, and analysis.
