5 December, 2012

New Zealand Tops Latest Global Anti-Corruption Index

Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) research is investigating New Zealand's transparency and driving effort to remain best in the world.

Wellington, 5 December 2012 - The Transparency International Secretariat in Berlin today released its annual Global Corruption Perceptions Index. The Index, which ranks the public sector of 176 countries across the world, has consistently shown New Zealand as a country with a strong reputation for clean government. For 2012 Denmark, Finland and New Zealand tie for first place helped by strong access to information systems and rules governing the behaviour of those in public positions.

While welcoming this recognition for New Zealand, the local chapter of Transparency International is promising that its newly launched National Integrity System assessment will provide a much more nuanced and detailed report on the country's vulnerability to corruption.

"Our ambitious National Integrity System Assessment will give the most detailed answer yet to the question, 'What factors cause New Zealand to rank consistently at the top?'" Says Suzanne Snively Chair of TINZ and NIS Steering Group Co-Chair.

Snively continues, "The NIS assessment is more ambitious and comprehensive than any previously conducted. The strong support we are receiving through funding agencies and participants indicates a commitment on the part of New Zealanders to remain a high trust society. New Zealanders are recognizing that not only is this ranking a source of pride, it represents a significant competitive advantage and economic benefits for New Zealand business."
New Zealand's high trust society is both a national treasure and an economic asset. Forbes magazine ranks New Zealand first on its most recent list of the Best Countries for Business thanks to a transparent and stable business climate. According to Phil O'Reilly Chief Executive of Business New Zealand "New Zealand's high trust public sector is it's greatest competitive advantage."

The National Integrity System assessment will provide a measure on how well various state and non-state institutions contribute to preventing or mitigating corrupt activities. Transparency International's research is running a ruler over institutions such as the media, Parliament, political parties, the judiciary, the public service, and the private sector. The results will show where the integrity of New Zealand society and government is strongest and weakest.

The Corruption Perceptions Index 2012 has been calculated using an updated methodology. This has been developed following a comprehensive review and consultation process, both within the Transparency International movement and with the help of external experts. The updated methodology has been reviewed and validated by an independent statistical assessment.

The revised Corruption Perceptions Index methodology uses an approach that provides greater clarity on how the index is constructed, making it easier to trace how the data from the sources are rescaled for inclusion in the Index.

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