The implementation review for New Zealand under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) covering Chapter II (Preventive Measures) and Chapter V (Asset Recovery) has been released. The recommendations in the report align well with TINZ’s submission.

Transparency International New Zealand has submitted its response to the Government’s draft Seventh Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

On Monday 23rd March, Hon Dr Duncan Webb and Dr Vanessa Weenink MP hosted around 200 influential thinkers from various backgrounds at a cross party forum at Parliament. The purpose was to share ideas about how to ensure our democracy is preserved and enhanced.

New Zealand should “grasp the nettle” on lobbying regulation because it is all about open government. Open government is clearly better for everybody including those who lobby and those who are lobbied.

In 2016 around 11.5 million documents were leaked from a Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. The Panama Papers exposed systems and mechanisms that enable corruption worldwide. A recent webinar unpacked what the Panama Papers made possible — and why many of the same vulnerabilities persist today.

Len Cook, guest writer, TINZ member and former Chief Statistician, reflects on the Electoral (District Boundaries) Amendment Bill and the Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill. Together they propose significant changes to the information that we all have to trust when making decisions and will have far reaching impacts that have not been drawn to the attention of either Members of Parliament or expert users.

Following the results of the latest Corruption Perceptions Index and the Anti-Corruption Taskforce Pilot Report, we held a special event for the TINZ Leaders Integrity Forum and TINZ members to reflect on the findings.

Public procurement accounts for up to US$13 trillion globally each year and remains highly vulnerable to corruption. New guidance from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) outlines how governments can use carefully designed incentives—alongside sanctions—to strengthen business integrity and reduce corruption risks in public contracting.

It appears from the 2025 election that local government elections are under active threat of increased corrupt behaviour. The integrity systems currently in place are showing their age. They need review and realignment to enable the full implementation of the principles of the Local Electoral Act 2001.

TINZ Executive Director and several Board members recently met with international human rights superstar and journalist Ken Roth and attended his lecture at Victoria University. A key point is that pressure, not the courts, is perhaps the most important element for defending rights.

This article is for those passionate about practical tools to build a Speak Up culture in New Zealand, arguing that trust can be tested. Bullying and harassment reporting is a strong indicator of how organisations handle other serious integrity issues.

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.