Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) posed seven key questions to political parties on issues of transparency, anti-corruption and protection for whistleblowers.
We asked each party to respond to each of our seven questions – on the basis that we would publish their responses verbatim. Accordingly, the parties’ responses compiled below are “all their own words”. It is up to the public and individual citizens to form their own view on these responses.
The questions were sent to all political parties registered with the Electoral Commission, in June. The responses are arranged by the current number of seats held in the recently dissolved Parliament.
Jump to a question: Post pandemic recovery| Political party and campaign funding| Code of Ethics| Protection for whistle-blowers| United Nations Sustainable Development Goals| Open government| Beneficial Ownership
Post pandemic recovery
Post pandemic recovery – As New Zealand moves through response to and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic what steps will your party take, if in government, to:
- Prevent corruption - the misuse of public funds for personal gain - in response and recovery activities?
- Deliver relief transparently so the basis on which the Government arrived at its decisions are clear and open?
- Protect democracy, individual freedoms and respect cultural practices?
National
A high standard of transparency and probity is required in the terms of billions of public money being spent on the Covid-19 pandemic and related economic recovery. Funding needs to be open and specific. Watchdogs like the AG and SFO need to be properly resourced. We need to maximise the protection of NZer’s fundamental freedoms within the constraints of keeping NZ free of Covid-19.
Labour
Although trust in Government has remained high throughout our response to COVID-19, we recognise these are exceptional circumstances. In order to maintain that level of trust, the Government must continue to display transparency in decision-making, be accountable, and be effective in our fight against the virus.
Any response and recovery spending will be subject to oversight and scrutiny. For example all projects funded through the Infrastructure Reference Group process have been subject to due diligence checks by Government agencies, Crown Infrastructure Partners will provide regular reporting on the projects to Ministers and Treasury, and the Auditor-General has the ability to scrutinise any financial decisions made.
We are proactively making available the papers, minutes, and key advice for decisions the Government has made relating to COVID-19 including the economic recovery to provide transparency and these are available here: https://covid19.govt.nz/updates-and-resources/legislation-and-key-documents/proactive-release/.
The Prime Minister delayed the election until October 17, to protect democracy and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. This move intends to ensure all parties have the opportunity to campaign, outside of Alert Level 3 or 4 restrictions.
We will continue our work next term to protect democracy, individual freedoms and respect cultural practices.
New Zealand First
New Zealand First, if in government, will look at maintaining the high level of transparency that the present government has already shown through very clear public communication of problems, health and economic risks, as well as maintain our fidelity to the proactive release of Cabinet decision making. Systems already in place, such as IRD audit processes, will assist in detecting corruption such as wrongly claiming the Wage Subsidy when not qualified. Same commitment to the honest conveying of information during COVID that has been a hallmark of the government. Will also monitor closely any incorrect or abused use of personal health information, especially in regard to any regulation around possible contact tracing electronic processes
Green Party
The Green Party will continue to prioritise transparency and accountability measures. We pioneered the proactive release of Green Party Ministers’ diaries, which was eventually taken up by all Government Ministers. We also saw the implementation of a longstanding Green Party policy that Cabinet papers are consistently proactively released.
ACT Party
ACT’s fundamental principles are based upon individual freedoms. In response to COVID we have lost sight of the many costs imposed by lockdowns that are unaffordable. We need a well organised government response with government as a referee, not a player. ACT’s alternative budget transparently outlines our plan to deliver relief and restart the economy.
Māori Party
The Māori Party will ensure a dedicated and Separate Unit fully resourced will be set up out of The Auditor General Office to review all Procurement decisions. In addition, the Serious Fraud Office will be resourced to carry out a large number of searches and reviews. All whistle blowers will be provided with full anonymity and protection.
Social Credit
A greater level of prevention against the misuse of public funds for personal gain in the current situation would require an army of bureaucracy and is not justified. Spot checks are being carried out, and large payments audited. The processes being adopted a present adequately address the questions raised.
The Opportunities Party
To prevent risks of corruption generally within our political system, we have called for a Royal Commission to review our electoral laws. The electoral regime is currently inadequate to safeguard against the risks of undue influence or political access being exercised by private interests.
Improving transparency over government decision-making is essential. In particular, a significant issue with the recovery is the huge amount of infrastructure spending. This is hugely expensive and will have an impact on Kiwis for generations. Infrastructure decisions should not be made by politicians behind closed doors. TOP would ensure there is transparent, independent information on each decision, covering the economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts (including emissions).
TOP would also reform the Official Information Act, to provide more effective oversight by the Ombudsman, ensure that we have a truly independent public service (by getting rid of no surprises) and restarting a conversation on a written Constitution to better protect individual rights and honour the Treaty.
Vision New Zealand
- Vision New Zealand will demand ‘transparent processes and a level playing field for all companies and contractors wishing to tender for public works contracts with a review of the current GETS tendering application process. New Zealand companies will be favoured over international companies. (nzherald.co.nz, 3rd Jun 2020, “NZ Firms Fletcher & Downer fuming as 371m Govt Kiwirail contract goes overseas”)
- Vision New Zealand will seek to have the Treaty of Waitangi as the foundational document for Constitutional Democracy in New Zealand.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
Cannabis prohibition arose from unjust, unscientific and corrupted system resulting in approximately 500,000 New Zealand citizens being criminalised over 45 years. The ALCP understands the need for transparent clear and open decisions, to have sound democratic systems, protecting freedoms, respecting cultures, resulting in good response and recovery for disasters including prohibition.
Political party and campaign funding
Political party and campaign funding – What specific actions does your party plan to take (for this and future elections) to:
- Ensure complete transparency of campaign funding from all sources?
- Minimise the influence of money given in expectation of actions?
- Address the threat of foreign influence in our political process?
National
National is committed to full compliance with the Electoral Law on campaign and party donations. We keep a clear separation between party officials fundraising and the policy work of MPs. We will advance the recommendations of the Justice Select Committee and others to protect New Zealand from foreign interference in our democracy.
Labour
The inquiry into the 2017 General Election enabled a thorough investigation into political party donations, potential foreign interference, and data collection vulnerabilities. A number of recommendations were produced by the Justice Select Committee’s work in this inquiry that were considered by Government.
One of the outcomes of the inquiry was the Government’s ban on foreign donations of more than $50, and greater responsibility on party secretaries to check the origin of donations.
We will look at how we can strengthen the Electoral Act and its provisions following the 2020 election which will include looking at the recommendations of the Justice Committee report as well as modernising the Act.
New Zealand First
Following the SFO investigation into donations the party has reviewed its processes with any donations now clearly and transparently being submitted to the NZF Party. Despite media perceptions, NZF has never sold policy for donations. The reality is that institutional checks and balances - such as consultation between parties in government, cabinet committee processes, as well as the full Cabinet process - means that there are robust processes to ensure public policy settings have integrity. These processes protect political actors and provide the break between donor expectations and public policy outcomes. Regarding foreign interference, NZF has pushed the system hard to respond to what we see as a pernicious and growing threat. Work streams are now dedicated to improving our system’s readiness and capacity and ability to respond to foreign interference. That said, we think New Zealand is behind the curve to where it needs to be and playing catch up poses its own risk.
Green Party
The Green Party is concerned about the impact of big money in politics. Green MP, Golriz Ghahraman has a Member’s Bill to cap all annual candidate and party donations and to drastically reduce the anonymity threshold to reduce anonymous donations from both domestic and overseas sources.
ACT Party
Political contributions should continue to be disclosed as they are required to now. Any concern about foreign interference or influence of campaign funding must be considered soberly and be given thorough consideration through a proper parliamentary process.
Māori Party
Total disclosure of all funds received by a party, a candidate and all related parties must be declared in this age of infometrics and digital reportage this is no longer onerous. Consequently, there are no thresholds and every cent should be disclosed. Finally, we want all political parties must receive a fair broadcasting allocation, rather than the present model that favours a First Past the Post preference to the two large parties.
Social Credit
All donations of $500 or more to candidates, MP’s or parties will have to be disclosed to the Electoral Commission. MP’s and Parliamentary Service staff will be required to disclose their financial affairs to the Auditor General to ensure there is no conflict of interest between their private affairs and their public duties.
The Opportunities Party
TOP is funded by small, individual donations which prevents undue influence from any particular wealthy donor (unlike for many other the other political parties, who rely on significant donations from a small number of donors). When TOP receives donations, donors are also required to provide their full names.
TOP has called for a Royal Commission into electoral funding as we believe the current system is broken. In particular, we would like the Commission consider whether donations should be limited to citizens only, as well as an annual donations cap (as we have seen in Canada, where they have a cap of about $1,900 NZD per year that can be made to political parties, and caps at the same level for donations to candidates and third parties). A donations cap at a level that is considered to be reasonably within the reach of the average citizen would mitigate against what are currently significant inequalities of access and influence experienced by the wealthy donors compared to ordinary citizens.
There currently remains a significant loophole in electoral rules that enables foreign funds to be channelled to political parties: foreign owned but New Zealand registered companies can direct donations to political parties. If donations were restricted to citizens only, preventing foreign influence could be strengthened.
Vision New Zealand
- Vision New Zealand believes any party that is under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office should have their party funding suspended till they have been cleared of allegations.
- Vision New Zealand believes the application process for new political parties, through the Electoral Commission, needs to be more robust and now set high standards and requirements for those individuals wishing to hold office in the leadership, administration and management of any potential party.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
It is vital campaign funding sources are publicly available so people can make informed choices. The practice for money to be given in expectations of actions should be stopped. It creates an uneven playing field between rich and poor, giving advantage to wealthy. No to foreign influence in our politics.
Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics – Describe the guidelines your party provides to members regarding:
- Commitment to ethical standards to guide the behaviour of your candidates and elected officials?
- Rules around accepting funds, gifts and invitations to social events and entertainment?
- A requirement for your members and your campaigns to use social media with integrity and honesty and to prevent misinformation?
- A commitment to a statutory Code of Practice about the use of personal data in political campaigns?
- A mandate for candidates and elected members to publish a full list of all of their beneficial interests and declare conflicts where/when they may arise?
- Transparency in MP diaries and lobbying contacts?
National
National MP’s fully comply with the requirements we introduced in Government requiring an annual pecuniary interest register. This ensures transparency around gifts, travel and other interests.
National ensures it complies with the Privacy Act, Electoral Act, and Advertising Standards in its campaign activities. We are cautious of Government extending its role into censoring political commentary and opinions because of the risks to freedom of speech.
Labour
A Parliamentary Code of Conduct was introduced, in the wake of the Debbie Francis Report. This is being firmly enforced by our Government members, in a concerted effort to improve workplace behaviour and hold those in positions of power to account.
To support this work, enhanced training is also being provided to ensure behaviour and practice expectations are met by MPs and staff. On 10 December 2018, the Government announced that summary information from Ministerial diaries would be routinely released from January 2019 onwards. This information relates to ministerial business including meetings with other Ministers and government officials, and meetings held outside New Zealand and are freely available online.
This followed the September announcement that the Government would be proactively releasing Cabinet papers. Part of the Government’s wider plan to improve openness, this action also reflects our commitment to the international Open Government Partnership.
Labour also has a code of conduct for our members which applies to our candidates and elected MPs as well to ensure a high standard of behaviour.
New Zealand First
NZF has clear written guidelines for all its candidates and elected officials to set expectations of proper and prudent conduct across those dimensions raised above. It also possesses control mechanisms to ensure social media information doesn’t stretch the boundary of truth-telling beyond normal political marketing allows.
Green Party
Along with being the first to proactively release Ministerial diaries, Green MPs have a policy of not accepting corporate hospitality such as event tickets. The Green Party consistently sets a high standard on ethics, including an ethics committee assessing whether to accept larger donations and being the first party in Aotearoa to sign-up to Facebook’s transparent advertising rules.
ACT Party
ACT maintains a high standard of ethics and principles in how it operates. All our candidates follow these standards of behaviour and would carry these standards through should they become MPs. We expect all our candidates and party officials to conduct themselves to the high standard the public would expect them to adhere to.
Māori Party
We refer you to our comprehensive constitution which is driven by our significant ethical values propositions.
We have no problem in ensuring full disclosure of all our candidates financial positions once elected to parliament.
Social Credit
50 words to respond to 7 questions is a ludicrous expectation.
The Opportunities Party
One of our core values is Tika & Pono - doing what is right.
We are focussed on telling the truth and being transparent. Our policy is evidence based. TOP’s Constitution maintains an independent Policy Committee to ensure this is the case.
We believe in data sovereignty and so TOP would willingly commit to a Code of Practice around the use of personal data.
If elected into Parliament our MPs will operate in a completely transparent way with respect to diaries, to ensure all meetings and attendees are recorded, and beneficial interests are public.
Vision New Zealand
As a new political party Vision New Zealand has had the opportunity to establish an infrastructure that includes guidelines, checks and balances to ensure that the integrity of the party, the behaviour of its office holders and candidates will remain at a standard that would be expected of its membership base.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
When a member signs up, they take a pledge for good honourable behaviour. They are also given the Electoral Commission Candidate rule book to understand legal obligations required. Everyone is taken in good faith, but if a problem or issue arises, we deal with it on a case by case basis.
Protection for whistle-blowers
Protection for whistle-blowers – Regarding whistle-blowers and protected disclosure, if your party becomes government:
- What measures will you take to strengthen the Protected Disclosure Act 2000?
- What policy will your party promote to support legitimate whistle-blowers and protect them from the negative impacts of speaking out?
National
Legislative support is one mechanism for ensuring people who disclose wrong doing are protected. We also need to ensure we have strong independent institutions like the SFO, AG and police for investigating and prosecuting services wrong doing.
Labour
It is crucial that working people feel safe to report cases of serious misconduct. Labour will replace the 2000 Act with a strengthened Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act to provide better protection for whistleblowers.
We have already begun this process by introducing a Bill that addresses the key deficiencies in the Act by:
- Allowing people to report serious wrongdoing direct to an external authority if they wish;
- Strengthening protection for disclosers by outlining what those receiving disclosures must do;
- Requiring public sector organisations to provide support for disclosers;
- Extending the coverage of serious wrongdoing to include misuse of public funds or public authority by non-government organisations;
- Requiring public sector organisations to state in their published internal procedures how support for disclosers will be provided; and
- Making it clear what behaviour is not acceptable by specifying a range of potential forms of retaliation against a discloser that are prohibited.
New Zealand First
NZF supports the Protected Disclosure Act 2000 although it is concerned that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions. We would like to see frequent reviews of the Act to ensure that it is actually working. The concern here is that formal processes can create their own barriers to greater whistle-blowing, hence the need to analyse how effectively the act is working. We see the role played by whistle-blowers as an essential one in our democratic firmament.
Green Party
The Green Party supports the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill and will push for this to be as practical as possible to give whistle-blowers confidence to come forward. There also needs to be priority placed next term on the second phase of work on protected disclosure reform.
ACT Party
Every citizen, including activists and whistleblowers, should be free to express themselves without being intimidated by the state. ACT supports whistleblower protection for people who expose issues of wrongdoing, corruption or criminal activity in both the private sector and public institutions.
Māori Party
There can be no transparency unless whistle blowers are protected and we would go further rewarded for information leading to any prosecutions in regards to secret transactions or the utilisation of a person in a special relationship using that relationship to advance either themselves or those connected with them. Accordingly, we would upgrade the present whistle blower’s legislation to assert our standards of ethics.
Social Credit
We would ensure that anyone who makes a protected disclosure of information and who claims to have suffered retaliatory action of any kind is supported by the crown both with expertise and funding in taking a personal grievance claim. We would strengthen the Bill of Rights.
The Opportunities Party
The public service should serve the public, not the interests of Ministers. The independence of the public service should be enshrined in our Constitution, and conventions that prevent it (such as no surprises or the current approach to CE contracts) should be stopped.
Vision New Zealand
Vision New Zealand does not advocate trial by media and people or political parties using the media to create an air of uncertainty around disclosures made by legitimate whistle-blowers or about whistle-blowers themselves. We believe it is in the public interest that public sector employees, who become legitimate whistle-blowers, should be given more support and protection.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
The ALCP understands the importance for protection of whistle-blowers. Cannabis prohibition creates the ‘fear factor’ of speaking out. When people stood up for cannabis consumer rights, they risked getting a police visit. That is why even today, we have difficulties finding people who will speak out on this topic.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)
- How does your party prioritise the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)?
- What particular plans do you have to address Sustainable Development Goal # 16 - to develop strong governance across public and private entities to prevent corruption?
National
The UN SDG’s are useful global goals for human development but tend to be very broad whereas National seeks to improve NZer’s living standards with more specific NZ goals.
The key policy for reducing corruption is strong independent institutions that have the resources and skills to investigate and prosecute corruption. We do not support the SFO being folded into the Police. We do support strengthening the SSC in the public sector practically in requiring all public servants to have a duty to wisely and effectively spend public funds.
Labour
Sustainable development is a priority concern to our Government in all relevant policies; it is essential for New Zealand’s success, security, and welfare to ensure that of our Pacific neighbours also.
Initiatives we have worked on under SDG 16 relating to governance include proactively releasing Cabinet papers, improving access to justice, and anti-money laundering.
This Government supports MFAT’s six priorities for policy work:
- Advocate, at the global level, for policies that support sustainable development in small island developing states.
- Engage with Pacific partners on economic and social policies that promote sustainable development and effective implementation.
- Work with partners to improve donor coordination in the Pacific.
- Strengthen the development impact of New Zealand’s domestic and international policy positions.
- Work with the Pacific to develop effective regional approaches to regional issues.
- Negotiate and implement policy agreements that improve the ability of Pacific Island countries to trade in goods, services and labour.
New Zealand First
NZF fully supports the UN Sustainable Development goals. We see these promoted in bi-lateral and multi-lateral engagement, through governmental and NGO advocacy and of course it is a staple of New Zealand’s foreign policy, whether in regional and multi-lateral forums and particularly through our aide programme (e.g., the Pacific Reset and transformative increase in ODA under Foreign Minister Peters.
Green Party
Sustainable Development Goals. Goal # 16 also covers inclusive institutions, and we are on track to our goal of 50% women on state sector boards. On preventing corruption, our policy includes a code of corporate responsibility.
ACT Party
New Zealand is currently ranked number one on Transparency International’s corruption index. Our ranking is a reflection of the strong systems and processes we have in place to deal with issues of corruption. ACT’s comprehensive policy platform that we campaign on determines our priorities in the next parliament.
Māori Party
Regretfully public servants in this country since the State Sector Reform of the late 1980s and early 1990s, has seen a significant shift of constant authority and power in government move from the executive legislature and courts to an unelected group of senior civil servants that appear to be above reproach. The State Sector Act must be amended to ensure that civil claims by citizens can be taken against Civil servants given the lack of oversight from a political perspective of these bureaucrats that control the distribution of billions of dollars of contracts.
Social Credit
Social Credit’s monetary reform policies will make more impact on the majority of the UNSDGs than any other actions.
The Opportunities Party
TOP’s policies are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
In terms of reducing corruption, we stand for greater transparency at every level of Government.
In particular:
- The OIA needs amending to give the Ombudsman teeth,
- The public service and public should be surveyed about their perceptions of the independence of the public service,
- No surprises should be dropped,
- The independence of the public service needs to be enshrined in a Constitution and
- The Government needs to make a full commitment to Open Government.
Vision New Zealand
Vision New Zealand favours a post-Covid reset, resulting in a cessation of policy driven from outside New Zealand to policy that is driven by ‘whakamana hapu’ advancing and supporting the health, wealth and wellbeing of the Kiwi Intergenerational Family. Policy that is culturally and socially relevant and responsive for present and future generations.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
Sustainable development is the central platform of our policies for recreational, medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp. Cannabis is fast growing renewable resource supplying all humanities’ needs – Housing, clothing, paper, plastic, food, beauty products, fuel and much more, including saving forests, rivers and air. ALCP supports transparent governance to prevent corruption.
Open government
Open government – If your party is in government from September:
- What will be your top three transformational actions under the Open Government Partnership?
- Describe policies you will promote to improve the Official Information Act and how agencies adhere to it?
National
The open Govt Partnership requires a genuine commitment for public agencies to comply. Our concern is that the practise of so many public agencies is to find reasons not to share information. Our top priority would be to improve the culture of public agencies.
The official Information Act is in need of reform. National wants to see improved compliance with required timeframes and less use of exclusions.
Labour
We are currently consulting with the public on what should be included in the Open Government Partnership priorities for our action plan next term. The IRM design report recommendations include reforming official information laws, civics education, and strengthening public-media reporting. You can see more about the proposed action plan and have your say here: https://ogp.org.nz/new-zealands-plan/fourth-national-action-plan/.
New Zealand First
NZF fully supports the Open Government Partnership. We would look to the improving public understanding in parliament, bolstering the School Leaver’s Toolkit, and improving the monitoring function and performance of public body information management practices as our focus in the 53rd parliament. Regarding the Official Information Act. It needs a thorough overhaul. From a governmental perspective, the Act is functioning on its supply side, but any with experience in government will say that the demand side of the OIA – that is, the burden it places on resourcing for, frequently, mendacious and/or frivolous official information requests, seriously impacts and detracts from the other policy and political work required in ministerial offices.
Green Party
The pathway to transformational open government changes exists in our current OGP National Action Plan but there are commitments that are not being met. The Greens would hold a citizens’ assembly on public funding of election campaigns to meet Commitment 5 and also investigate citizens’ bills being debated in Parliament. The Greens would prioritise OIA reform, both legislative and cultural changes, to meet Commitment 7.
ACT Party
ACT believes in an open and transparent government. While OIA requests are one element of transparency, Parliament is also fundamental to providing scrutiny over government decisions. A strong functioning Parliament holds the government of the day accountable which will be particularly critical as we manage COVID-19.
Māori Party
Firstly, to resource a separate unit out of the auditor general’s office working in close liaison with the Serious Fraud Office in running constant vetting of Crown Procurement processes and personalities.
Secondly to upgrade the protection and reward of whistle blowers.
Thirdly to make accountable senior civil servants for the failure in delivery of any procurement made by them that fails for want of appropriate probity on their part.
Social Credit
We’d provide Parliamentary committees and their members with effective power of investigation, and implement Binding Citizen’s Referenda and Recall. We would reduce the grounds for withholding and redacting information and shorten the time frame for responses. If more staff were needed to meet those requirements, they would be employed.
The Opportunities Party
All Government reporting data should be digitised, anonymised and made public for research, including Local Government consent monitoring.
All Cabinet papers and Ministerial advice should be made public as soon as possible as a matter of course.
All major infrastructure projects should be independently evaluated in a comparable way across economic, social, cultural and environmental criteria. This information should be open to the public to allow them to compare what is and isn’t funded. (As Treasury CBAX data improves, eventually this could be expanded to all government spending).
The OIA needs to give the Ombudsman teeth if breaches are found.
Vision New Zealand
- Vision New Zealand would seek to implement our Whakamana Whanau – Family Empowerment Policy
- Close New Zealand’s international boarders for 24 months
- Vision New Zealand will seek to institute Binding Referenda for those issues that Parties had not campaigned on or issues that are of a moral nature.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
Sustainable development is the central platform of our policies for recreational, medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp. Cannabis is fast growing renewable resource supplying all humanities’ needs – Housing, clothing, paper, plastic, food, beauty products, fuel and much more, including saving forests, rivers and air. ALCP supports transparent governance to prevent corruption.
Beneficial Ownership
Beneficial Ownership
- What is your party’s position on improving transparency around beneficial ownership of companies and trusts?
- Does your party support the introduction of a publicly accessible register (or registers) of beneficial ownership for companies and/or trusts?
National
National is open to improving transparency around the beneficial ownership of companies and trusts and a public register.
We need to carefully balance the rights of privacy with those of public disclosure. A key issue is the scale of and thresholds of such entities.
Labour
Improving the transparency of the beneficial ownership of New Zealand companies and limited partnerships remains a priority for Labour.
New Zealand First
NZF does support better transparency around beneficial ownership of companies and trusts and the introduction of a publicly accessible register.
Green Party
Some trusts have legitimate uses, but too many of them are used to try to avoid tax or other legal responsibilities. Our net wealth tax, which covers individual wealth held in private trusts, will help address these issues and a register of beneficial ownership could be part of the enforcement.
ACT Party
As mentioned previously ACT supports transparency of government in the decisions it makes. With respect to private individuals and private companies they should be able to maintain their privacy.
Māori Party
Our party requires full disclosure of all beneficial ownerships and interests across any level entity where they may vest.
Social Credit
We will require all registered companies to publicly display their relationship with all their associate companies and subsidiaries. Nominee shareholders in public companies will not be allowed.
The Opportunities Party
TOP supports full transparency of beneficial ownership of businesses and trusts including a publicly accessible register.
Vision New Zealand
- Vision New Zealand advocates investigation of the effectiveness of a publicly accessible register
- Vision New Zealand believes there needs to be legislation that protects New Zealand from international companies using New Zealand Maori names in their company name. Thereby creating transparency around foreign ownership and the destination of those company profits.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
Yes the ALCP supports the introduction of a publicly accessible register (or registers) of beneficial ownership for companies and or trusts. Transparency is vital for strong systems of democracy. We have the democratic right to know our systems. Voting Yes in Referendum will help develop a better system for cannabis consumers
