TINZ responded to four questions raised in this submission. We support a broader review of the Māori Electoral option including consideration for Māori to switch between electoral rolls for both general and local government elections (and separately for each). We also agree that further research and community awareness raising is needed.

A stable and thriving economy and society rely on integrity systems that facilitate checks and balances on power, transparency of decision-making and information, the ability to speak up about wrongdoing, and to see this investigated. It also relies on the ability for people to explore issues, participate in public debate and policy formation.

TINZ has submitted on the Incorporated Societies Bill currently being considered by the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee. Good governance and integrity is as important in civil society organisations as it is in public and business sector.

TINZ’s response to the Justice Select Committee Inquiry into 2020 General Election. Anne Tolley and Avon Adams were the leads in the TINZ response.

A group of Ten civil society organisations with an interest in open government sent a letter to the Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for the Public Service, seeking a meeting to discuss extending the period for co-creation of Open Government Partnership National Actio Plan, thereby enabling funding for the plan to be included in Budget 2022.

Inquiry into the 2019 Local Elections and Liquor Licensing Trust Elections, and Recent Energy Trust Elections Submission, Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ), February 2020

TINZ’s February 2020 submission on the Secondary Legislation Bill emphasised that getting the legislation to be more consistent is one thing. But an equally high priority ought to ensure people can access the secondary legislation.

The use of algorithms has generated problems of persistent error, bias, concealment, negative extension of use and choice restriction. The Charter is an opportunity for a commitment by public sector agencies to more consistently use transparency as an accountability tool to detect, reduce and mitigate these problems.

Transparency International New Zealand comment on the Office of the Auditor General Draft Annual Plan 2020-21