This is edition 2025/127 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
Last week I spent battling an awful flu, and something had to giver days of no slep and constant coughing... sadly it was the Ten@10.
I'm mostly recovered so here it is again. Thanks for your patience.
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. “Anti-Corruption Taskforce Pilot” – A Welcome Step, But Too Little, Too Late?
Bryce Edwards
- 🚨 Anti-Corruption Taskforce Pilot Announced: New Zealand launches a six-month pilot led by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), with support from police and public service commissions, to address growing concerns about public sector corruption.
- 📉 Complacency in the Past: New Zealand’s reputation for being one of the least corrupt nations has led to complacency; the Taskforce is a positive shift to address this.
- ⚖️ Limited Focus: The Taskforce will examine only public service agencies, excluding politicians, ministers, and Parliament—areas where major corruption risks lie.
- ⏳ Short Timeframe: The six-month duration of the pilot raises concerns that it could become a token PR effort rather than lead to meaningful reform.
- 🧐 Political Sensitivities: The Taskforce’s narrow scope may be politically motivated, avoiding scrutiny of politicians, and ignoring recent scandals like political donations and ministerial cronyism.
- 📝 Potential for PR Over Substance: The pilot may end up being a symbolic gesture, with no long-term action or structural changes unless further political will is demonstrated.
- 🔍 Need for Systemic Reform: The Integrity Institute calls for broader anti-corruption reforms, such as a National Anti-Corruption Strategy, an Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, and strengthening laws.
- 🔥 Beyond the Pilot: This pilot must be seen as a starting point for comprehensive, ongoing reform to address the root causes of corruption in New Zealand’s political system.
- 👀 Ongoing Monitoring: The Integrity Institute will continue to monitor the Taskforce’s progress, advocating for stronger measures to combat corruption effectively.
