Transparency International New Zealand has partnered with Health Coalition Aotearoa and the Helen Clark Foundation to push for stronger measures towards political integrity through transparency, ethical standards and accountability. We need voices from across Aotearoa—community leaders, business leaders, advocates, policy experts, and everyday people—to help shape a fairer system.
On 7 April Hon Anne Tolley joined a launch panel discussion which included Hon Helen Clark, Hon Chris Finlayson and Moana Tuwhare, facilitated by Dr Jacinta Fa’alili-Fidow. Panel members spoke about their experiences as parliamentary leaders, Te Tiriti implications of lobbying regulation, about the issues that need more active response, and about the five action points at the heart of the campaign.
Each of the three organisations has produced research and reports that highlight how far we are behind in taking an ethical response to lobbying, with comparable countries.
The challenges we face are that:
- New Zealand has no regulation on lobbying
- There are no stand-down periods through the ‘revolving door’ between lobbying and high level policy making
- There is weak management of conflicts of interest
- There is weak transparency from an outdated Official Information Act
- Political donations are buying access and influence.
Five Action Points
Here’s how we can bring New Zealand into line with international best practice and protect the integrity of public decision making.
- Regulate Lobbying - we’re calling for a Regulation of Lobbying Act
- An online, publicly accessible and searchable register
- A “cooling off” period of 1-3 years to slow the revolving door between government and lobbying
- A mandatory code of conduct for lobbyists
- The creation of an Integrity Commission to enforce these provisions.
- Slow the Revolving Door between government and lobbying roles
Internationally, it is standard practice for there to be a “stand-down” or “cooling off” period for Ministers and their staff before they move into lobbying roles. New Zealand currently has no cooling off period at all.
- Better Manage conflicts of interest
New Zealand has weak management of conflicts of interest for government appointees who work on policy development but have (or have recently had) other employers or clients who have a financial vested interest in the outcome of that policy.
- Strengthen transparency legislation
The Official Information Act (OIA) is 43 years old. The legislation is in urgent need of reform to bring it into line with international best practice.
- Tighten restrictions on political donations
Tightened restrictions on political donations will limit the undue influence exerted by wealthy individuals and organisations, creating a fairer political landscape in New Zealand.
In this part of the launch panel interview, Anne Tolley, Chair of Transparency International NZ talks on the importance of greater transparency in lobbying:
