Our monitoring of the public notices of prosecutions, investigations and reports shows possible reasons for changes in New Zealand’s score in the Corruption Perceptions Index.
The 2025 decline is driven largely by two of the contributing sources to the CPI: the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook and the World Economic Forum (WEF) Executive Opinion Survey.
Both reflect the views of senior business leaders on bribery, corruption risks, and diversion of public funds. Questions in those surveys ask about bribery in imports and exports, utilities, taxation, public contracts, licensing, judicial decisions, and the extent of undocumented payments or misuse of public resources.
The responses in those surveys suggest growing concern among business leaders about misconduct in New Zealand’s public sector environment where it interfaces with the private sector.
Looking to the courts we see more evidence. In 2025, convictions and fraud cases involving tens of millions of dollars occurred in construction, building inspection, infrastructure, health, procurement, and IT sectors. There were also investigations and charges involving Police, Corrections, and border officials:
- Building Inspection: In February 2025, a former building inspector was sentenced for accepting over $35,000 in cash and home renovations. Further court action is proceeding.
- South Auckland Road Maintenance: In December 2025, a contractor was sentenced to 12 months' home detention. He was the third subcontractor sentenced for providing kickbacks to a former Broad spectrum manager in exchange for roading contracts.
- Immigration New Zealand/Samoa Bribes (April 2025): An Auckland business owner was sentenced to prison in April 2025 for bribing Immigration New Zealand employees in Samoa. The bribes were paid to facilitate the illegal recruitment of overseas workers, who were then exploited in New Zealand.
- Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) Bribery: In October 2025, a medical equipment company director was sentenced after pleading guilty to making 28 payments totalling over $170,000 to a senior ADHB manager to secure supply contracts.
- IT Contractors $4.1m Scheme (May 2025): Two former IT contractors were sentenced to three years' imprisonment for their roles in a massive bribery and kickback scheme.
- Wellington District Court (Aug 2024-2025): Three people will face trial in 2026 on charges of bribing Corrections staff.
- Public Sector Procurement Case: Three people face court action in 2026 related to allegations of bribery and corrupt use of official information to secure public sector construction contracts.
- A former Police Officer pleads guilty to charges of leaking police intelligence to a gang member boyfriend (October 2025)
- Air New Zealand baggage handler was a “logistical organiser” for a syndicate importing methamphetamine through Auckland Airport (Jan 2025).
But wait, there’s more. Notably, New Zealand recorded its first cartel convictions, including bid-rigging in construction and price-fixing among courier companies.
Immigration fraud convictions have increased, highlighting migrant exploitation issues. Allegations of corrupt vehicle licensing practices have also emerged.
Beyond traditional corruption, cybercrime and scams pose a growing threat. In 2024/25, New Zealanders lost $265 million to fraudsters, reflecting the commercialisation and sophistication of cybercrime.
Some Progress
Public sector agencies have made efforts to strengthen integrity over the last two years. These include the OAG’s Integrity Framework 2024, and the Public Service Commission’s work on developing the Standards of Integrity and Conduct and Action Plan to strengthen integrity.
2025 also saw an encouraging level of cooperation between agencies such as SFO, NZ Police and the Public Service Commission on the Anti-Corruption Taskforce six month pilot programme. Inland Revenue and MSD also worked together on many COVID-related fraud investigations.
Still declining confidence signals the need to go further.
Political Integrity
There have not been any prosecutions of corruption or fraud by politicians during the last year, but investigations are underway into allegations of breaches of the Electoral Act in the Local Government elections, and allegations of misuse of personal data in regards to the previous national election.
There are concerns about political integrity and the use of executive power during the year, These include:
- Implementation of legislation at a pace that does not enable proper consideration of differing views;
- Passing laws that undermine judicial appeal;
- Restriction of voting rights; and
- Public appointments that seem to be political rather than following merit-based processes.
There is also considerable concern about the level of influence on politicians in New Zealand. With no regulation of lobbying and poor (and untimely) transparency of political donations it is not surprising that in 2023 43% of New Zealanders believed donors exert "undue influence" on politicians, with significant concerns regarding the "revolving door" between government roles and lobbying.
In conclusion, while New Zealand remains among the world’s least corrupt countries, its sustained decline signals weakening integrity in a range of areas. Domestic corruption cases, the influence of organised crime, challenging economic pressures and cavalier attitudes towards transparency and citizen engagement show the need for much greater effort. This is needed from politicians and the public sector for sure but all New Zealanders need to uphold and expect accountability, transparency and integrity, as essential pillars of our democracy.
Review TINZ’ more in depth analysis: Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 - Analysis relevant to New Zealand.
