In a comparison with 10 other jurisdictions, the absence of independent oversight of, and personal gains from lobbying in New Zealand is glaring.
Find out MoreNew Zealand has lost the top score for Budget Transparency in the latest international Open Budget Survey. While some of the drop is temporary or can be turned around easily, the survey results raise bigger questions about what NZ needs to do next to raise the bar on fiscal transparency.
Find out MoreThis issue of the Transparency Times has a particular focus on transparency in government. It highlights areas where the Government, politicians and public servants can be doing a much better job.
Find out MorePolitical financing through donations, anonymous or not, should not purchase influence. The principle of one-person one vote underpins democracy. We need to protect the integrity of this essential democratic process.
Find out MoreFrom the perspective of judging a government’s commitment to openness, they are conveying a signal that no government would choose: that there is no policy coherence between stated intent and reality.
Find out MoreIn December eight civil society organisations gave a ‘summer reading’ briefing to Minister Hipkins in his capacity as Minister for Public Service. This followed our work over the past year, alongside other civil society organisations, on improving New Zealand’s commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
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