This year, Transparency International analysed the relationship between politics, money and corruption, including the impact of campaign finance regulations and how money influences political power and elections. Keeping big money out of politics is essential to ensure political decision-making serves the public interest and curbs opportunities for corrupt deals. Transparency International’s research highlights the relationship between politics, money and corruption. Unregulated flows of big money in politics also make public policy vulnerable to undue influence.

Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) contributes to local government democracy by promoting integrity and civic literacy. More than 1000 local body candidates will receive its ‘Questions on Integrity’ this week.

Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) has designed six sets of questions that can be used when talking with a candidate standing for local body elections, for which voting closes on 12 October. They are applicable to all positions.

It is gratifying to see the Ministry of Education make serious steps towards addressing the damaging socio-economic inequities in civic literacy within New Zealand. The resulting, recently released School Leavers' Toolkit, is a significant resource to guide our secondary school students for the next phase of their lives.