The Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 18 November entirely online. Highlights included a farewell from Patron Lyn Provost, a welcome to the new Patron Dame Patsy Reddy, presentation of the annual report from Julie Haggie, the board election and awarding lifetime memberships to Lyn and Stephanie Hopkins.

Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM QSO DStJ has been appointed TINZ Patron having finishing her term as 21st Governor-General of New Zealand. She has had extensive experience in governance and business consulting roles.

The combined defence sector in New Zealand is ranked the most transparent and least corrupt in the world in the recently released Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI). In the same week the report of the Expert Review Group (following the Operation Burnham inquiry) highlights the need for improvements with the NZ Defence Force culture and transparency.

If last week's Open Government Partnership Fourth National Action Plan workshop is any indication, New Zealand's next plan will be the same as the last three, full of activities that are either ‘business as usual’ that should have occurred anyway, or  ‘side projects’ delivered on a wing-and-a-prayer.