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Perceived corruption

Definition

The perceived level of corruption – defined as "the abuse of public office for private gain" – among New Zealand politicians and public officials, on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (highly clean).

A country’s score in the Corruption Perceptions Index is derived by Transparency International from a number of different surveys of business people and country analysts.

Relevance

Corruption undermines democracy and the rule of law and threatens domestic and international security. Corruption also has adverse social and economic consequences for a country. The Corruption Perceptions Index is a good proxy indicator of the values and norms that underpin public institutions.

Current level and trends

New Zealand’s score in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2008 was 9.3, similar to its scores of 9.4 in 2007 and 9.6 in 2004–2006. Since the index was first developed in 1995, New Zealand has consistently scored well, with more than 9 out of a possible 10 in each period reported.

International comparison 

In the Corruption Perceptions Index 2008, New Zealand was ranked first equal with Denmark and Sweden as the least corrupt nations out of 30 OECD countries. Since 1995, New Zealand has consistently been among the top four OECD nations perceived as highly clean.

New Zealand scored higher in the Corruption Perceptions Index than Australia and Canada (eighth equal, 8.7), the United Kingdom (14th equal, 7.7), and the United States (16th equal, 7.3).

Figure CP5.1 Corruption Perceptions Index scores (0=highly corrupt, 10=highly clean), OECD countries, 2008

Figure CP5.1 Corruption Perceptions Index scores (0=highly corrupt, 10=highly clean), OECD countries, 2008

Source: Transparency International (2008)

» View technical details about the perceived corruption indicator