This year has been full of challenges and change for Transparency International New Zealand. Here are some of the highlights.
Strategic Direction
In February 2024 the TINZ Board reviewed its strategy with the aim of narrowing its focus.
The Board agreed on its strategic direction with the broad strategic areas of work for TINZ listed as:
• Protect public resources and value
• Stop flows of dirty money
• Secure integrity in the public sector
• Secure integrity in politics
• Motivate integrity in business
• Expand civic space for accountability
• Build community leadership against corruption.
2023 Corruptions Perceptions Index
New Zealand dropped to third in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions index (CPI). This was the first time since the CPI was revised in 2012 that New Zealand is not in the top two ranked countries. The gradual decline in our score highlights that complacency is not an option in our continued battle against corruption.
Voluntary Lobbying Code of Conduct
TINZ emphatically criticized a watered down Voluntary Lobbying Code of Conduct. TINZ feels that this Code is so watered down from an initial reasonable Ministry draft that it totally lacks substance, even though it is voluntary and non-binding. See Draft Voluntary Lobbying Code of Conduct lacks substance and our Media Release Lobbyists prove the need for regulation
Fast-Track Approvals bill
TINZ spoke out about the Fast-Track Approvals bill expressing expressing concerns around democratic decision-making, the principle of the separation of powers, increased power of the executive, participation and overall transparency.
See Fast-Track Consents bill and our Submission.
OECD Country Assessment
TINZ played an active advocacy and facilitation role to the OECD Panel assessing New Zealand’s effectiveness in countering bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions. We commented on the lack of monitoring of bribery. We also commented that there is no clear appreciation of the bribery risk faced by New Zealand companies exporting and importing. It is also not clear if, or why companiesthey do not report instances of bribery. An assumption that there are no occurrences of bribery to report seems completely unreasonable. See our Submission.
Anti-corruption effectiveness
August saw the release of An assessment of the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions in New Zealand in deterring, detecting and exposing corruption.
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.This is the finding presented in our research report: “An assessment of the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions in New Zealand in deterring, detecting and exposing corruption”. This research forms part of our National Integrity System Assessment work programme.
From our Chair
Anne Tolley from our Annual Report
“A highlight of the year for me was representing Transparency International New Zealand at the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania. This is a very important global gathering facilitated by Transparency International. It is eagerly attended by country leaders, civil society experts, government regulatory organisations, journalists and businesses – over 2000 registered from 140 countries. I found the plenary sessions and workshops deeply informative, on topics including the movement of illicit funds around the world, challenges with political integrity, and environmental governance.”
François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International Visits
August featured a visit from François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International. He highlighted a shift in approach at the global movement level from the establishment of measures and global standards and accountability instruments such as UNCAC and FATF to a more urgent call now for governments to act on their commitments.
François visit included participation in our Auckland Business Anti-Corruption Forum and a Wellington Anti-Corruption forum
Collaboration
A key to our recent success is our collaboration with other organisations including:
- The New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties who led a group of civil society organisations including TINZ responding to the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan 4;
- Business Central who partnered with us on our first Business Integrity Forum;
- The Office of the Auditor General which has continued its good partnership with us on Public Sector Leaders Integrity forums;
- The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and the Risk Management Society of New Zealand, with whom we worked closely on two fabulous anti-corruption forums in Wellington and Auckland;
- The Institute of Internal Auditors of New Zealand with whom we collaborated on a report and on learning opportunities;
- Integrity Fiji and Youths for Integrity whose youthful energy resulted in inspirational videos, songs and poetry;
- The New Zealand Financial Intelligence Unit, UNDP and the Pacific Island Law OfÏcers Network providing opportunities for us to advocate on our research.
2023-2024 Annual Report
The 2023-2024 Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) Annual Report was provided to members at the Annual General Meeting on the 26th of November.
Transparency International New Zealand 2023-2024 Annual Report
