Newsletter

Faster is not better

TINZ has taken a closer look at the use of urgency across the current National-led coalition (54th) parliament and the Labour (53rd) parliament. Both show a high use of urgency and a disturbing pattern of reduced time for public consultation.

Slow the lobbying revolving door

Transparency International New Zealand is calling for a minimum one year cooling-off period for Ministers and senior public servants to reduce conflicts of interest, protect sensitive information from being shared, and to increase public trust.

National Integrity System Assessment 2026 and beyond: Taking an Action-focused approach

Transparency International New Zealand is revising its approach for ongoing revisions to the National Integrity System Assessment (NISA)

The time has come for an Independent Fiscal Institution

Pressure is mounting for New Zealand to finally introduce an Independent Fiscal Institution (IFI). The case for an IFI was highlighted by the recent spectacle of political squabbles over the cost of election year policies, diverting attention from their merits and drawbacks.

Investigative Journalism and Anti-Corruption Advocacy Working Together: The Worldclear Case

What does a New Zealand financial services company have to do with a sanctioned Belarusian oligarch and a bank in Vanuatu? Two recent articles on New Zealand-based Worldclear show how investigative journalists and anti-corruption advocates are working together across borders to expose complex financial networks and promote accountability.

OpenBrief: putting the public record in one place, in time for the vote

OpenBrief aims to make New Zealand's political record easier to navigate by bringing together official public information in one searchable place. Ahead of the 2026 election, it offers voters a new way to explore candidates, funding and parliamentary activity.

Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions

On 30 June 2026 the OECD released its annual report ‘Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions’. Overall the picture for New Zealand is mixed.

Time to Raise the Bar: The Case for a Positive Test for Urgency in New Zealand Parliament

Using urgency as a default legislative strategy — treating a parliamentary majority as a substitute for deliberation, or rushing complex legislation through simply because a government can is not acceptable.

Get Lobbying into the Sunlight

Professional lobbying has grown significantly in New Zealand since the 1980s, yet regulation has not kept pace. While lobbying can contribute to public policy, the absence of clear rules has enabled practices that undermine public confidence.

The Queensland Model – Real-Time Political Funding

In Queensland, candidates are required to disclose donations in real time. New Zealand would benefit from a similar regime

Parliament calls out government for being hard to understand — and charts a way forward

A landmark report from a cross-party Committee says New Zealanders deserve much clearer information about what the government is doing with their money.

New Zealand Takes on Modern Slavery: What the New Bill Means — and What's Missing

Transparency International New Zealand has made a submission to Parliament on the Modern Slavery Bill 2026, broadly welcoming the legislation while urging significant strengthening before it becomes law.

Pacific Partnership Environmental Research Project

TINZ is continuing its work across the Pacific through a new ‘Access to Environmental Information’ research project that focuses on information available on fisheries in Fiji and extractives in Solomon Islands.

Let the sun shine in

Our “Let the Sun Shine In” series will spotlight the urgent need for openness in political funding, lobbying, and disclosure ahead of this year’s general election.

Let the sun shine in: A call for greater integrity in politics

Transparency International New Zealand calls on parliamentarians and political parties to re-affirm their support for essential democratic processes.

Let the sun shine in on political party funding

Political donation reform is urgently needed. Weak donation laws, high disclosure thresholds, and limited enforcement powers create opportunities for undue influence and erode confidence in political institutions.

Ni sa bula Transparency International Fiji!

On 1 May Transparency International Fiji launched a new logo, website, and strategic plan. This long awaited event signals that TI Fiji is now firmly on the path to full chapter status within the global TI movement.

Speech by Dr Salome Taufa, Director of Governance and Engagement, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum

As the Pacific continues to navigate a more uncertain and demanding regional and global environment we will need institutions that are trusted, leadership that is principled and policies that are informed by facts and evidence.

Reflections for the Democracy Forum

A fundamental question is how New Zealand’s model of parliamentary democracy can adapt and remain resilient in the social media age. This was a key point raised by Sir Peter Gluckman from The Centre for Informed Futures and President of the International Science Council in thoughts submitted for the recent Democracy Forum discussions.

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