Paper prepared jointly by The Institute of Internal Auditors New Zealand and Transparency International New Zealand in November 2023

In May 2022 Transparency International New Zealand released a report about our investigation of corruption and money laundering within Pacific Island Countries (PICs). TINZ has produced summaries of the analysis for each of the countries covered.

Money Laundering and Corruption Report. Research published by Transparency International New Zealand investigates corruption and money laundering within Pacific Island Countries (PICs). It highlights the linkage between the two concluding that preventive and investigative systems are insufficient and not operating effectively.

This report published in April 2023 was primarily prepared by TINZ, with review and further contribu􀆟ons by the Parliamentary Services Library staff. The focus is on central government with some limited coverage of local government.

Pacific Island countries face particular corruption risks given their relatively small populations, dependence on natural resources, vulnerability to natural disasters and recent transition to democracy. However, evidence about levels and patterns of corruption is still limited.

In a comparison with 10 other jurisdictions, the absence of independent oversight of, and personal gains from lobbying in New Zealand is glaring.

Given the dominance of COVID-19 in government activity over the last two years, it is clear that procurement for covid response and recovery has been conducted almost entirely outside of public scrutiny.

Transparency International New Zealand contributed to a new report by Transparency International, which identifies critical risks to the integrity of political financing posed by online advertising. It makes five recommendations to policymakers worldwide.

Transparency International Anti-Corruption Helpdesk report on algorithmic transparency

TINZ is releasing a report: Online Political Campaigning in New Zealand We recommend that Parliament takes the opportunity to not only maintain New Zealand’s status and reputation as a leader in political integrity, but to show other countries the way forward in dealing with this critical issue for protecting democracies and fighting political corruption.

Building Accountability Summary of the National Integrity System Assessment, 2018 Update.