Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) has made a submission on New Zealand’s draft Seventh Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In this submission, TINZ comments both on the draft report and more broadly on New Zealand’s ongoing commitments under the ICCPR framework.

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.

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.