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Summarised by Centrist
New Zealand has slipped further in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), dropping from 85 to 83 and falling to fourth place globally, behind Singapore.
Once ranked least corrupt alongside Denmark, New Zealand is now seven points behind its former peer, reflecting a long-term decline since 2015.
A Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) report cites weak anti-corruption efforts as a key factor. CEO Julie Haggie describes the government’s response as “lacklustre and complacent,” pointing to corruption in public procurement, immigration services, and political lobbying.
The report also warns that New Zealand lacks a well-resourced agency dedicated to anti-corruption and that legal gaps frustrate investigations.
Chairperson Anne Tolley calls for a major shift in thinking, urging stronger leadership, a single anti-corruption agency, and urgent legislative reforms. She argues that political will is needed to restore New Zealand’s status as a global leader in transparency.
While still ranked among the world’s least corrupt nations, New Zealand’s continued slide signals deeper structural issues in governance and transparency.
