TINZ’s response to the Justice Select Committee Inquiry into 2020 General Election. Anne Tolley and Avon Adams were the leads in the TINZ response.

TINZ is releasing a report: Online Political Campaigning in New Zealand We recommend that Parliament takes the opportunity to not only maintain New Zealand’s status and reputation as a leader in political integrity, but to show other countries the way forward in dealing with this critical issue for protecting democracies and fighting political corruption.

The new proposed Parliamentary Code of Conduct addresses important issues of inappropriate sexual conduct and bullying. The code is part of proposals to make Parliament a safer working environment, from one where unacceptable conduct had become "normalised”.

Democracy faces daily new risks in the digital age. This article highlights a few tools like 'The complete guide to NZ Election 2020' which aim to create an informed electorate and provide transparency around political advertising and political content.

TINZ remains concerned that political parties are largely unaware of New Zealand’s vulnerability to the impact of corruption that originates overseas. They are generally naive about how our international reputation for strong integrity attracts the corrupt on one hand, while on the positive side, strengthening New Zealand's integrity systems to prevent this corruption has the potential to accrue value to their constituencies and to our economy.

Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) posed seven key questions to each political party on issues of transparency, anti-corruption and protection for whistleblowers. Here are their responses

Guest author Tim Barnett discusses the complex issues and practical challenges of political party funding in New Zealand. He offers a couple of examples where these issues are being addressed in other ways that are worth considering for New Zealand.

A review of recent Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) activity around elections offers a broad-brush look at our initial plans for the 2020 electoral cycle.

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.

Recent revelations about New Zealand political parties’ funding, are yet further evidence that our funding rules and political party governance badly need an overhaul.   It is reasonable to expect that those who lead should not only act according to the laws of the land, but also to have the understanding and sense to act morally beyond the laws of the land, and lead by example.

On Tuesday 6 October approximately 200 people gathered at Victoria University of Wellington to hear 2020 election candidates discuss business and political integrity.