New Zealand’s score has declined again, from 85 to 83 in the just released 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.
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 7 points behind its previous peer.
Movement downwards started in 2015 and whilst it recovered briefly in 2020-21 the decline now appears to be accelerating.
Why are New Zealand’s scores declining?
TINZ’s 2024 research report An assessment of the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions in New Zealand in deterring, detecting and exposing corruption 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
What can we do?
In our Media Release, Anne Tolley, Chairperson of Transparency International New Zealand, says that 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.”
Recommendations from our 2024 research and from global assessments (e.g. OECD) offer a clear pathway to regaining our world leading status.
- 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.
- That agency needs to lead development of an overall anti-corruption strategy that:
- clarifies agency roles and responsibilities;
- ensures efficient sharing of strategic and operational information and practice;
- builds an effective early warning system regarding corruption changes;
- effectively identifies, analyses and remedies weaknesses in the anti-corruption network;
- requires better public reporting on anti-corruption resourcing and activities.
- The lead agency needs a strategic policy focus on identifying areas vulnerable to corruption, where competition is lacking and where there is extensive discretion and limited transparency.
- A comprehensive review and reform of the OIA is required.
- A public register of beneficial ownership of New Zealand companies, trusts and limited partnerships that enables greater transparency of the ultimate controller of these entities is urgently needed. The policy work has been done, we now need it built and in place.
- The financial transparency of political parties needs reform.
- We need better lobbying transparency and conduct, and some means to address rotating door issues for politicians and senior public servants.
- The state of the media has deteriorated more than others. At a time of increasing polarisation there is public good in a strong publicly trusted media, including trustworthy and politically neutral government owned media.
For additional analysis relevant to New Zealand and its performance relative to the region and trading partners see Analysis relevant to New Zealand from the Corruption Perceptions Index 2024.
The full 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index is available from the Transparency International website.
