SSC Media Release
18 November 2009

New Zealand tops international index for least corrupt country

State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie, today welcomed the release of the latest Transparency International findings – that New Zealand is the least corrupt nation in the world.

The 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index scores 180 countries on a scale of zero to ten - with zero being perceived to be highly corrupt and 10 being perceived to have low levels of corruption.

"This is an excellent result for New Zealanders and for the New Zealand public sector," says State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie. "To be perceived as free from corrupt practices is gratifying, but we should never forget that this is what New Zealanders expect from an apolitical Public Service.

"We didn’t arrive at the top spot through complacency, and we will need to continue to work hard to maintain the trust of New Zealanders. The State Services Commission has worked across the State Services to implement, and monitor the Standards of Integrity and Conduct introduced to replace the Code of Conduct in 2007. We will continue to work with chief executives and State servants to encourage good behaviours and deal with unethical behaviours, in order to strengthen the high level of trust that is reflected in these international surveys."

More information on the work of the State Services Commission on integrity and conduct can be found on the SSC website at www.ssc.govt.nz/integrityandconduct

ENDS

© Scoop Media