Investors are attracted to New Zealand because of the ease of doing business with a relatively low level of corruption. That is a reputation that has to be upheld, not put up for sale. We cannot de-prioritise due diligence and risk mitigation in the chase for the overseas dollar or yuan.

New Zealand owes a huge debt of gratitude to John Ryan, our retiring Supreme Auditor. He has carried out his role as the Controller and Auditor General with great wisdom, courage, objectivity, humanity and integrity, the qualities of a strong leader.

On 20 May 2025, a TINZ team joined other civil society representatives meeting with the visiting review team considering New Zealand’s implementation of its commitments under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

The topic of the third webinar of our Pacific Anti-Corruption Series on 11 June is beneficial ownership. The first two events in this series were well received.

As we head towards World Whistleblowing Day on 23 June, we praise just a few of the many New Zealanders who have spoken up about corrupt behaviour in organisations they work in or for.

The TINZ Board has agreed the strategic focus for TINZ into the near future.

The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa, in partnership with LexisNexis, will launch its Strengthening the rule of law in Aotearoa New Zealand report on Wednesday, 25 June in Wellington

TINZ has completed its UNCAC submission as part of the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) before a review panel visits New Zealand later this month. Our overall summary won’t surprise anyone -while overall New Zealand is comparatively less corrupt, our systems are under attack and we are not doing enough to proactively address the issue.

Transparency International New Zealand invites you to a new three-part Pacific Anti-Corruption Webinar Series. This free, online series is designed to bring Pacific voices to the forefront. The webinar topics are Anti-Money Laundering on 14 May, Organised Crime on 28 May and Beneficial Ownership on 11 June.

TINZ submitted an Official Information Act request to the Ombudsman to look at the impact of the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022. Here is what we found.

Cybercrime is widespread but poorly understood by ordinary New Zealanders. Unlike other crimes, it is unlikely to be prosecuted yet the financial losses can be devastating for victims.

Dr Marie Doole provides a summary of recent regulatory capture research encouraging us to consider the risk of regulatory capture throughout the policy process, not just the operational frontline.

A brief update on TINZ activities including UNCAC, the Pacific Programme, OGP, meeting with a visiting Malaysian delegation and Leader's Integrity Forums.

Help us to get the word out there by following us on social media (Linkedin, Insta, Facebook). You can also amplify our message by liking and sharing our posts and inviting your friends and colleagues to follow us on social media.

We have almost 1,000 followers on Linkedin! Help us grow the transparency and integrity movement - the more people we can reach, the more we can help to raise awareness about critical issues that matter in our democracies.

Transparency International New Zealand has joined a campaign led by Health Coalition Aotearoa and including the Helen Clark Foundation, pushing for stronger measures towards political integrity through transparency, ethical standards and accountability.

The recently revised rules for central government agencies undertaking procurement are a positive step in increasing transparency of government procurement.

Every year Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) monitors reported corruption to inform our strategy. This year’s scan reports $28 million in discovered and convicted cases.

In conjunction with the Transparency International’s Pacific Program, we have produced a digital storytelling video featuring TINZ Deputy Chair and Pacific Committee Chair Debbie Gee talking about our Pacific Programme for 2024-2028

Gurdeep Talwar has been appointed to the TINZ Board. Learn more about his incredible background.

Transparency International (TI) is actively engaged in a multitude of initiatives to fight corruption globally. At the end of the day, everything they achieve ultimately affects New Zealanders.

TINZ Member with Delegated Authority Giulia Dondoli reports on the New Zealand Police Financial Intelligence Unit New Zealand National Risk Assessment 2024 as it relates to Terrorism and Financing of Terrorism.

Two excellent, recently released, independent reports commissioned by Stats NZ and the Public Service Commission have reported on data sharing arrangements between agencies and several organisations. They show serious gaps in the protection of sensitive personal data

In mid-May 2025 the New Zealand government will host an evaluation team who will review New Zealand’s implementation of the commitments it signed up to under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

TINZ is a contributing chapter to the 2024-2029 Transparency International Indo Pacific Programme. TINZ’s work focuses on cross Pacific concerns including Polynesia. In 2022 we produced research on the interlinking risks of money laundering and corruption across the Pacific.

Evidence from contemporary research underlines why legal frameworks like the Protected Disclosures Act, which promote and protect whistleblowing, are so critical to good governance in both the public and private sectors.

New Zealand’s score has declined again, from 85 to 83 in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). This has resulted in a further slip in our global ranking to fourth, with Singapore moving into third place. This also bumps New Zealand off the top rank in the Asia Pacific region.

New Zealand must strengthen foreign bribery detection and its corporate liability framework for foreign bribery.

In December 2024, a group of leading human rights advocates released an important report or combating trafficking which introduces the Combating Trafficking in Person and Modern Forms of Slavery Bill (Modern Slavery Bill).

Greater transparency of those who ultimately control legal entities and arrangements like trusts and companies reduces organized crime and corruption, drug offending and money laundering. It also supports the integrity of a nation’s financial system.

Fiji has improved its score in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index compared to the last two years, regaining its 2021 score of 55/100. Its rank is 50 out of 180 countries, so it sits in the top 30% of countries.

At the end of November, TINZ Board Director, Debbie Gee, and TI-IPP Coordinator, Rochelle Stewart-Allen, travelled to Bangkok to connect with other Indo-Pacific TI Chapters. The focus was launching Phase II of the Indo-Pacific STRONGG Project, a crucial initiative aimed at strengthening anti-corruption efforts across the region.

In December Transparency International, our parent organization, released a report setting out standards for integrity in political finance.

In August 2024 TINZ released a significant research report as part of our National Integrity System Assessment work programme. A key recommendation is the need for a zeitgeist shift in thinking about anti-corruption in New Zealand towards positive prevention including a Government funded agency responsible for anti-corruption work and strategy.

Monday 9 December 2024 was International Anti-Corruption Day. New Zealand cannot sit on its laurels with evidence of an upsurge in financial scams, tax fraud and cases of individual corrupt businesses and public servants supporting fraudulent practices or facilitating money laundering here.

The 2024 TINZ Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Tuesday 26th November at the Grand Hall, Parliament Building and online. Our guest speaker for the evening was Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier.

For 2024 TINZ revised its strategic focus, collaborated effectively with similarly aligned organisations to further our advocacy on several issues and were outspoken about the shortcomings of several legislative initiatives.

The 2024 TINZ Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 26th November at the Grand Hall, Parliament Building as well as online.

New Zealand’s financial systems are being exploited by criminals here and overseas. A beneficial ownership register would vastly improve detection of misuse of our financial systems.

In a recent visit to Greece, TINZ Chair Anne Tolley was reminded that the need for transparency and accountability is not a new concept.

The ‘Ethics at Work: 2024 International Survey of Employees’ report has just been released by the Institute of Business Ethics. This report offers insights into how employees perceive ethics within their organisation and highlights the importance of strong ethical workplace cultures.

It is estimated that 10% of New Zealand’s imports are likely to be produced utilising modern slavery. This is not a far away issue, but one that affects all of us.

“Civil society participation is essential to the achievement and maintenance of common wealth and resilience” was the key message from Transparency International New Zealand to leaders attending the October Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.

The Auditor-General has recently used his position to express our shared concerns about the dangers to constitutional integrity when politicians give themselves the power to make direct public funding decisions or to enable non-transparent access to natural assets.

TINZ is advocating for changes to The United Nations Convention against Corruption review process to make them more transparent and inclusive.

Te Kawa Mataaho, The Public Service Commission is currently consulting on subject matter topics for its long-term insights briefing. TINZ’s response focused on addressing long term integrity risks and how to proactively address them.

Lisa Marriott and Max Rashbrooke from the School of Government, VUW are undertaking research about how powerful groups shift democratic decision-making away from public good. They want to hear about experiences from people with an inside perspective.

TINZ Board member Tod Cooper who was recently awarded 2024 winner of the CIPS Australia and New Zealand Procurement Leader of the Year.

In a recent review, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) found the application of recommended controls for gatekeepers still lacking.

Lucia Young, studying holding public officials accountable in exercising their power, particularly in relation to Māori rights

Aotearoa New Zealand's historically low levels of corruption have encouraged complacency and a reactive approach to policy making at top levels of politics and the public service. New Zealand must do more to protect against corruption.

The decision of the Government to put a hold on progressing a Register of Beneficial Ownership for Companies and Limited Partnerships (not forgetting trusts) is alarming. The regulatory and operational work on a register was well underway. We urge relevant Ministers to review their decision.

The perception of corruption in New Zealand’s political systems has been growing in recent years, enabled by weak or non-existent regulation. A new report from the Helen Clark Foundation has suggestions for strengthening our rules and systems, in line with similar countries, to improve trust and confidence and forestall a future crisis.

Following the huge response from a broad range of organisations and individuals on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, the Environment Select Committee appears to be listening to concerns about the overriding of democratic and judicial processes and public participation that were implicit in the first draft.

TINZ, ACFE and RIMS with the support of the OAG hosted an anti-corruption forum. Its focus was around the public sector anti-corruption ecosystem in New Zealand. It was excellent for its coverage and discussions about the issues.

In August TINZ and partner organisations hosted an anti-corruption business forum in Auckland providing an opportunity to hear from international and local experts about what is needed to strengthen New Zealand’s resilience in the face of rising global corruption.

The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui promotes and protects the safety and well-being of participants and the fairness of competition in the sport and recreation sector.

TINZ recently completed its triennial accreditation review from the TI Secretariat.

Synteche Collins – Acting Director of ECPAT New Zealand/Child Alert reports on the deeply disheartening news that Aotearoa New Zealand is once again ranked at Tier 2 in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report by the U.S. Department of State.

Earlier this year, the Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes quietly finished his time with the Public Service Commission, Te Kawa Mataaho. TINZ and New Zealand owes him a huge debt for his strong support of the trust and integrity of the public service and of our elected government.

Customs NZ border threat assessment shows that organised criminals are using increasingly sophisticated practices to use and corrupt our trade, transport and finance systems.

This submission consists of specific responses to review topics. In summary TINZ supports much greater transparency in public procurement including strengthened requirement statements. It also recommends that tone and expectations for applying best practice should be set at the top of an organisation and for procurement to be reviewed against international standards.

At the end of August François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International globally is visiting the Pacific TI chapters. He will spend three days in New Zealand and will be participating in several events while visiting.

We are pleased to learn that Tennis player Marcus Daniell is being nominated by The New Zealand Olympic Committee to stand for the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission.

New Zealand was represented at the 21st International Anti-Corruption Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania by former Governor General and conference Vice Chair Sir Anand Satyanand, TINZ Chair the Hon Anne Tolley and by TINZ CEO Julie Haggie. The conference attracted outstanding defenders of ethical behaviour and governance.

The International Anti-Corruption Conference in Vilnius Lithuania was a great opportunity for learning and networking and for catching up with international colleagues. At the same time it was sobering to realise how much more needs to be done to combat corruption.

Special attention to politically exposed persons (PEPs) in anti-money laundering regimes is important because political corruption can affect a country’s economic performance by diverting public funds away from essential services including education, health, housing and law enforcement.

Virtual assets have created new avenues to commit crimes and new secure payment methods for criminals. Applying AML/CFT regulations to digital currency transactions can help fight cybercrime.

The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) has been established to navigate the complex intersection of information, fairness and technological progress.

A very important consultation is underway on the future of the New Zealand census. It seeks your social licence for Stats NZ to access, combine, use, and store your data from various programmes and sources. We strongly encourage everyone to have their say before the consultation closes on 18 June, 2024.

New Zealand has been a world leader in public financial management for over two decades.. Without the impetus from the creation of a Parliamentary Budget Office and an improved Citizen’s budget, we are on the road to mediocrity in budgeting.

Prioritising the declaration and management of conflicts of interest is essential for upholding integrity in procurement within the New Zealand public sector.

Recent cases in New Zealand and Australia highlight gaps in AML reporting systems in the casino sector.. Anti-money laundering prosecutions and settlements are making an impact, however more can be done including civil penalties or criminal liabilities for individuals in senior management roles, lower cash thresholds, and mandatory cashless poker machines.

The increasing global tensions in wars and conflicts have seen a flurry of economic sanction orders coming into place which can be an effective non- armed response to bad actors

Transparency International New Zealand is involved in many activities that promote our values of transparency and integrity throughout New Zealand. Here are some of our activities during April and May.

A very busy time for TINZ includes finalising an Indo Pacific Partnership agreement, a visit from TI chair Francois Valerian and monitoring the rise of organised crime in the Pacific.

When considering an individual’s propensity for corrupt behaviour and levels of institutional corruption the critical importance of high-integrity institutions is apparent.

The Fast Track Approvals Bill raises concerns around democratic decision-making, the principle of the separation of powers, increased power of the Executive, participation and overall transparency.

New Zealand businesses looking to enter, grow or maintain business relationships with the EU will likely need to enact sustainability and modern slavery due diligence as a minimum requirement of doing business. By meeting these standards they will enhance their reputation, foster long-term relationships, and contribute to a more environmentally and socially conscious global trade landscape – as well as satisfying the expectations of their local stakeholders.

The European Parliament's recent adoption of an anti-SLAPP directive imposes minimum standards to protect individuals from unfounded lawsuits. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, SLAPPs remain largely absent from public discourse.

As part of our unrelenting demand for greater transparency and integrity in all areas of public life, Transparency International New Zealand regularly promotes legislative change. April was a particularly busy month for legislative submissions.

TINZ Deputy Chair Debbie Gee and Chief Executive Officer Julie Haggie went to the airwaves to discuss the proposed Voluntary Lobbying Code of Conduct and to emphasise TINZ’s concern that the Code is very watered down when compared to an initial draft and codes of conduct within similar democracies.

The draft voluntary lobbying code of conduct just released by the Ministry of Justice demonstrates lobbyist’s effectiveness. It is so watered down from the initial draft which was developed based on other international codes, that it now totally lacks substance.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will visit New Zealand in May to evaluate New Zealand’s compliance with the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

Last week marked OECD Integrity Week, including the 2024 Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, from 26-28 March held in person and online.

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security released its inquiry report into the Government Communications Security Bureau’s (GCSB’s) hosting, from around 2010, of a signals intelligence system deployed by a foreign agency

Remembering Fuimaono Tuiasau 1954-2024. Educator, lawyer and strong advocate for human rights.

Significant decisions made in many sectors depend on the scope, frequency, and quality of population statistics. Whatever course of action is chosen for the Census, it must be a scientifically valid solution, with collection and verification processes that are transparent.

Implementing AI in New Zealand: What the Government is working toward and ensuring that Maori involvement is part of the process.

Transparency is a vital element of maintaining ministerial accountability and integrity. A flourishing democracy is where those in power can be held to account – through parliamentary integrity systems, by media scrutiny, by civil society, and at the voting booth. We encourage Parliamentarians to take this to heart.

Simon Chapple has been contracted by TINZ to research and report on the effectiveness of anti-corruption mechanisms in New Zealand, in deterring, detecting and exposing corruption. This will initiate our work on the 2023 National Integrity System Assessment.

The latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) scores for 2023 shows New Zealand once again has a stellar record when it comes to perceived low corruption. But for the second year, its CPI ranking dropped; what are the challenges to the perception of corruption in New Zealand?

In February TINZ hosted an online Public Sector Leaders Integrity forum with guest speaker A J Brown discussing the Corruption Perceptions Index and his observations about New Zealand’s performance.

In January Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith released the final report of the Independent Electoral Review, a process started in May 2022 by then Minister Kris Faafoi.

The Board and CEO of Transparency International New Zealand want to pay tribute to Mataʻiʻulua ʻi Fonuamotu, Lord Fusituʻa, a Tongan politician and noble of the Realm, who passed away in February this year.

New Zealand is now ranked third in the international corruption perceptions ranking prepared annually by Transparency International.

While New Zealand remains firmly entrenched among the top CPI countries, the likelihood of returning to first in the future is slim. Declining business confidence is concerning.

The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals another year of little to no meaningful progress towards curbing corruption in the Pacific.

Ruth Liloqula - TI Solomons shares a personal story about corruption in the Solomons and Pacific