The 2025-2026 Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) Annual Report was provided to members at the Annual General Meeting on the 10th of November. As a result of our work we would like to see a world with trusted integrity systems in which government, politics, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption.

international Fraud Awareness Week, 15–21 November, is an opportunity to look at how we protect ourselves and our organisations from fraud. TINZ is encouraging people to ask questions, strengthen everyday checks—and have a go at our Swindler Quiz.

TINZ held its AGM on 10 November with a preceding event ‘Looking Forward, Looking Back’ and said goodbye to some old friends and welcomed new ones.

New Zealand remains one of the world’s strongest performers on the rule of law, but its latest results indicate weakening safeguards for open government, public participation and checks on government power.

At the final Transparency International New Zealand Public Sector Leaders Integrity Forum in July, senior public sector leaders gathered to discuss “groupthink” and how it can contribute to integrity failures in organisations.

In October the Serious Fraud Office announced charges against two former public housing officials and two construction company owners alleging more than $4.2 million in bribes connected with government-funded contracts worth more than $26.3 million. Discussing procurement risks and preventive controls is called for.

New Zealanders reported losing $265 million to scams through their bank accounts in a single year, and that is only the money people told their banks about. The victims are real, trust is damaged, business confidence and reputation are impaired. We need vigilance, constant reminders and systems providing levels of protection.