New Zealand is almost free of graft, our records are clean and we top the world in being the least corrupt but none of these is good enough, experts have warned.
“It is easy to reach the top but difficult to stay on; New Zealanders do not tolerate corruption and hence we top the list of Transparency International, ahead of Australia, UK and the US but we should remain there,” the experts said.
Echoing those views, Transparency International New Zealand Chapter Co-Chair Claire Johnstone said that the country’s top position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) was testament to the integrity and performance of all of those involved in New Zealand’s public sector.
“New Zealand’s reputation for clean government is an important driver of economic prosperity, but it is important that we do not squander or take for granted this reputation,” she said.
New Zealand was ranked first as the least corrupt country in the Annual Global CPI of Transparency International released on December 1, 2011.
The Index, compiled by Berlin based Secretariat of the global body ranked 183 countries across the world, and said New Zealand had a strong reputation for clean government.
CPI ranks countries and territories according to their perceived levels of public sector corruption. It is an aggregate indicator that combines different sources of information about corruption, making it possible to compare countries.
Public protests
Transparency International Chair Huguette Labelle said corruption was the main cause for restlessness and upheavals in many parts of the world, both rich and poor countries.
“Whether in a Europe hit by debt crisis or an Arab world starting a new political era, leaders must heed the demands for better government. Public sector governance that puts the interests of its citizens first is a responsibility that transcends borders. Governments must act accordingly. For their part, citizens need to continue demanding better performance from their leaders,” she said.
She said that public outcry at corruption, impunity and economic instability sent shockwaves around the world in 2011.
“Protests in many countries quickly spread to unite people from all parts of society. Their backgrounds may be diverse, but their message is the same: more transparency and accountability is needed from our leaders.”
CPI 2011 showed that public frustration was well founded. No region or country in the world is immune to the damages of corruption, a majority of the 183 countries and territories assessed score below five on a scale of Zero (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean).
New Zealand, Denmark and Finland topped the list, while North Korea and Somalia were at the bottom.
New Zealand Chapter Director Suzanne Snively said the CPI was a measure of perceived public sector corruption only, and experts and members of the business community made that assessment.
“It does not address private sector corruption, nor does it serve as a measure of the broader public perception of corruption issues. Several other recent Transparency International publications have shown that there remains cause for concern in New Zealand,” she said.
According to the Agency’s ‘Global Corruption Barometer’ released in December 2010, about 3.6% of New Zealanders surveyed reported that they or someone in their household had paid a bribe to a service provider in the previous year.
The Agency’s Report, As Good As We Are Perceived said many large firms in New Zealand did not have codes of conduct that prohibit bribery.
Ms Johnstone advised the New Zealand Government to step up its efforts in combating corruption.
“According to a recent Auditor General Office Survey, 22.5% of public servants were aware of fraud having occurred in their organisation. While fraud is different from corruption, this is a worrying finding.
“The New Zealand Government appears to be falling behind in its international commitments to fight corruption,” she said.
Ms Snively agreed, saying that New Zealand signed the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) almost eight years ago, and now stands among a tiny number of countries which have not yet ratified the Convention.
“The subject has been languishing among ‘other business matters’ of Select Committee (of Parliament) for more than two years. We strongly encourage the new Government to address this urgently,” she said.
