TINZ has consistently called for greater transparency and integrity in the political sphere. The version now consulted on, has little substance, even though it is voluntary and non-binding.

The just released draft voluntary lobbying code of conduct released by the Ministry of Justice demonstrates lobbyist’s effectiveness. It is so watered down from the initial draft which was developed based on other international codes, that it now lacks substance.

Transparency is a vital element of maintaining ministerial accountability and integrity. A flourishing democracy is where those in power can be held to account – through parliamentary integrity systems, by media scrutiny, by civil society, and at the voting booth. We encourage Parliamentarians to take this to heart.

Simon Chapple has been contracted by TINZ to research and report on the effectiveness of anti-corruption mechanisms in New Zealand, in deterring, detecting and exposing corruption. This will initiate our work on the 2023 National Integrity System Assessment.

The latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) scores for 2023 shows New Zealand once again has a stellar record when it comes to perceived low corruption. But for the second year, its CPI ranking dropped; what are the challenges to the perception of corruption in New Zealand?

In February TINZ hosted an online Public Sector Leaders Integrity forum with guest speaker A J Brown discussing the Corruption Perceptions Index and his observations about New Zealand’s performance.

In January Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith released the final report of the Independent Electoral Review, a process started in May 2022 by then Minister Kris Faafoi.

The Board and CEO of Transparency International New Zealand want to pay tribute to Mataʻiʻulua ʻi Fonuamotu, Lord Fusituʻa, a Tongan politician and noble of the Realm, who passed away in February this year.

New Zealand is now ranked third in the international corruption perceptions ranking prepared annually by Transparency International.

While New Zealand remains firmly entrenched among the top CPI countries, the likelihood of returning to first in the future is slim. Declining business confidence is concerning.

The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals another year of little to no meaningful progress towards curbing corruption in the Pacific.

Ruth Liloqula - TI Solomons shares a personal story about corruption in the Solomons and Pacific