New 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.

Transparency International New Zealand is finalising its approach for ongoing revisions to the National Integrity System Assessment utilising a functional approach.

Former New Zealand Government Statistician Len Cook raises serious concerns about the Data and Statistics Bill quietly working its way through Parliament

The May13th passing of the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 bolsters protection for whistleblowers in New Zealand workplaces, across the public and private sectors. The Te Kawa Mataaho summarises the changes to the Act. Also see link to extensive interview with our Director Debbie Gee on Mediawatch.

Applications are now being accepted for the second annual Transparency International NZ Dame Suzanne Snively Scholarship at Victoria University Wellington.

Amidst recent visits from foreign ministers, Transparency International chapters in the Pacific urge governments to use these opportunities to implement the policies outlined in the 2020 Teieniwa Vision, which highlights the importance of strong leadership and political will to defeat corruption.

The Banking Ombudsman has updated their complaints dashboard with the publication of data from the first three months of 2022. Complaints fell markedly from the late 2021 spike. The high proportion of complaints against ANZ is concerning.

It is with regret we note the sudden death of Mel Smith. Mel was on the Board of Transparency International New Zealand for several years and became our Patron in 2007.

Citizens have looked to the government for timely and reliable information to protect themselves, their families and their communities particularly in this time of crisis. The 2019 Open Budget Survey provides insight, strengths, weaknesses and practical areas of improvement in New Zealand's budget process.