New Zealand’s score has declined again, from 85 to 83 in the just released 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), resulting in a further slip in our global ranking, now to fourth, with Singapore moving into third place. This also bumps New Zealand off the top rank in the Asia Pacific region.
The CPI published annually by Transparency International is the leading global indicator of public sector corruption.
Whilst still in the top ten worldwide, New Zealand has surrendered its position as a world leader in integrity and transparency. For many years New Zealand scored ‘least corrupt’ alongside Denmark, now it is now 7 points behind its previous peer.
The decline started in 2015 and whilst it recovered briefly in 2020-21 it now appears to be accelerating.
TINZ’s 2024 research report An assessment of the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions in New Zealand in deterring, detecting and exposing corruption (see notes) sets out the problem:
“That research found that New Zealand’s response to increasing corruption pressures over several years has been lacklustre and complacent.” says Julie Haggie, Chief Executive Officer of Transparency International New Zealand.
“We have not taken a strategic approach to preventing and monitoring corruption; we have not addressed the need for a well resourced lead agency. Collaboration and information sharing including with the private sector has been highly variable and there are legal weaknesses that frustrate investigations.”
Key Issues for New Zealand
- We are seeing corruption in public procurement and contracting, immigration and border services; including the exploitation of migrants.
- Many financial organisations are not adequately identifying risks around politically exposed persons
- We urgently need legislation and tools to help shine the light on those abusing our financial and social systems for personal gain. That includes transparency of those who ultimately control companies and trusts
- There has also been a rapid increase in fraud experienced by individuals and organisations
- There is insufficient transparency of political lobbying and of political financing
- Legislation passed under urgency, or poorly considered, undermines both public participation and judicial oversight
Anne Tolley, Chairperson of Transparency International New Zealand, says there is a clear pathway to regaining our world leading status.
“As our 2024 research shows, we need a zeitgeist shift in thinking about anti-corruption in New Zealand towards positive prevention. This includes stronger, more visible leadership by the Public Service Commission on public sector integrity, and a single well-funded agency with the primary and high-profile responsibility for anti-corruption monitoring, coordination, research and strategic operations. There is also a raft of legislation waiting, ready to be put in place, we need political will to push this forward on the legislative agenda.”
The global theme of this year’s CPI is climate crisis. Two of the biggest challenges humanity faces are strongly intertwined: corruption and the climate crisis. Billions of dollars of climate funds intended to help countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable populations are at risk of theft and misuse.
“Anti-corruption standards should be a core part of New Zealand’s climate action and policy making. This will improve our country’s ability to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis, and to protect our limited resources against theft, policy capture and other abuse.” Says Haggie.
Background information for journalists
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How Well Do We Counter Corruption?
In 2024 TINZ commissioned a research report to consider the concepts and measures of corruption and whether perceptions match with reality in New Zealand. This looked at changing threats, as well as progress against past assessments and sought the opinions of experts to be able to comment on the effectiveness of core anti corruption institutions.
The results of this effort produced the 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.
Background to the Corruption Perceptions Index
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is the leading global indicator of public sector corruption. It is a composite index, drawing from 13 reputable surveys/assessments, eight of which encompass New Zealand.
The index scores 180 countries and territories based on expert perceptions of corruption in the form of bribery; diversion of public funds; officials using their public office for private gain without facing consequences; the ability of governments to contain corruption in the public sector; excessive red tape; nepotistic civil service appointments; conflict of interest of public officials; legal protection for whistleblowers, state capture by narrow vested interests, and access to information on public affairs/government activities.
The process for calculating the CPI is regularly reviewed to make sure it is as robust and coherent as possible, most recently by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in 2017.
All the CPI scores since 2012 are comparable from one year to the next. For more information, see this article: The ABCs of the CPI: How the Corruption Perceptions Index is calculated.
About Transparency International
Transparency International is a global civil society coalition based in Berlin, leading the fight against corruption. It compiles a number of measures of different aspects of corruption including the Corruption Perceptions Index, the Global Corruption Barometer, and the Bribe Payers Index. Information on Transparency International can be found at www.transparency.org.
About the New Zealand chapter of Transparency International
The New Zealand chapter of Transparency International works to actively promote the highest levels of transparency, accountability, integrity and public participation in government and civil society in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Find TINZ at www.transparency.org.nz.
Transparency International New Zealand has programmes and projects designed to support greater integrity. These can be viewed in our Annual Report.
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