FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19 September 2013

Transparency International New Zealand

Wellington New Zealand

Transparency International New Zealand Welcomes Prime Minister's News: NZ to join Open Government Partnership.

Transparency International New Zealand Deputy Chair Murray Petrie welcomed today's news that Prime Minister John Key has indicated New Zealand intends to join the Open Government Partnership.

Mr. Petrie says the Open Government Partnership is a multi-country initiative which has an aim of securing "concrete commitments from governments" to promote greater transparency, support citizen participation and to implement high ethical and integrity standards.

"Transparency International New Zealand is currently finalizing research assessing transparency and integrity in New Zealand which strongly supports New Zealand's active participation in the Open Government Partnership.

"The New Zealand chapter of Transparency International looks forward to working in partnership with other NGO's, business organisations and the Government, to develop a national plan of action comprising new initiatives on transparency, public participation and integrity."

He says that the countries New Zealand usually benchmarks itself against are members, with Australia confirming its intention to join in May.

ENDS

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