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