Newsletter

Falling Corruption Score Signals Growing Risks to New Zealand’s Democratic Integrity

New Zealand’s CPI score has fallen by two points for the fourth consecutive year—a 10% drop overall. While New Zealand still ranks equal fourth with Norway, this continued slide reflects diminishing confidence among business experts and international assessors in the integrity of the public sector.

Why the Shift Downwards?

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.

New Report Exposes Gaps in Public Sector Anti-Corruption Controls

A new Anti-Corruption Taskforce pilot report confirms that fraud and corruption in New Zealand’s public sector are likely being significantly under-reported, with major gaps in prevention and oversight. Some agencies show strong integrity practices, the findings highlight the urgent need for stronger, system-wide reforms.

Progress on Beneficial Ownership: A Step Forward, But a Long Road Remains

The Government’s renewed commitment to establishing a beneficial ownership register marks an important, if overdue, step in strengthening New Zealand’s defences against corruption, organised crime, and financial misconduct. But is it transparent and will it include trusts?

UNCAC CoSP11: A Major Win for Political Finance Transparency — and Why It Matters for New Zealand

A landmark international agreement aims to curb secret and illicit political funding. This article explains why adoption of this resolution matters for New Zealand and how it could help restore public trust in our political system.

Addressing exploitation: how the Modern Slavery Bill lifts governance standards in New Zealand

The proposed Modern Slavery Bill aims to lift New Zealand’s integrity settings by introducing mandatory reporting, enhanced transparency, ministerial oversight and penalties for non-compliance. For boards and senior leaders, managing exploitation risk will become a core governance responsibility.

International Anti-Corruption Day 2025: Uniting Youth Against Corruption

On December 9th 2025, the world marks International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD). This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”, highlights the vital role of young people in building fairer, more transparent societies.

Celebrating Civil Society Fighting Corruption in the Pacific

Across the Pacific, civil society continues to show that determined, principled action can shift power, strengthen democracy, and protect public resources. As we acknowledge Anti-Corruption Day, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of Transparency International chapters across the region to this action.

Pacific Voices Shaping Our Democratic Future

We have produced a short three minute video that brings together Pacific voices speaking from the heart about what real participation and strong democracy look like in our region.

Corruption landscape: Can legislative and system safeguards address current and emerging threats in New Zealand-Aotearoa

Ahead of Transparency International New Zealand’s (TINZ) 2025 Annual Meeting, TINZ members and guests gathered in Wellington for a panel discussion examining Aotearoa’s current legislative and system safeguards against growing corruption and integrity risks.

TINZ 2025 Annual General Meeting

On 12 November, TINZ held its 2024-2025 Annual General Meeting at the Wellington Club, in Wellington. Ahead of the Annual Meeting, TINZ members and guests gathered for a panel discussion examining Aotearoa’s current legislative and system safeguards against growing corruption and integrity risk

Dashboards through the snow

A great present to unwrap for Christmas, MBIE is releasing their Government Procurement Dashboards.We are promised they will be live by Christmas on their website.

Celebrating 80 Years of the United Nations

On Friday 31, October 2025 the United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNANZ) sponsored a reception commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. James Bushell, President of UNANZ, reminded us of what truly matters.

Open Government Partnership NAP 5

TINZ has been attending consultation sessions on the proposed National Action Plan 5 (NAP 5) for the Open Government Partnership. At civil society’s urging, the Public Service Commission (PSC) opened a brief consultation on the final draft plan, which ended on 8 December.

How to count people

Stats NZ is seeking feedback on the proposed data collection and content for the next census. The consultation shares Stats NZ’s current thinking for the next census and invites feedback on the proposed data collection approach and content by Friday 19 December.

Transnational Organised Crime Index

The Transnational Organised crime index released in November 2025 included New Zealand. This article contains a summary of the findings for New Zealand.

Long Term Insights Briefing: The Future of Public Service Integrity

In Mid November Te Kawa Mataaho (Public Service Commission) published its second Long Term Insights Briefing (LTIB). TINZ would like to see more focus on strengthening the regulatory environment and a deeper dive into integrity risks.

New edition of the Government Procurement Rules increases focus on Transparency

The 5th Edition of the Government Procurement Rules goes live on the 1st December 2025. Using simpler language, the new edition places an increased emphasis on transparency and accountability for the spending of public money.

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