Business of Government: The two-headed beast, mega-merger, corruption and watching the watchers

Local Government NZ president Sam Broughton was subjected to a mass broadside from ministers, while SFO director Karen Chang contemplates corruption. (Image: BusinessDesk)

Ian Llewellyn

Wed, 23 Jul 2025

When NGOs fightNew Zealand’s reputation for having one of the least corrupt public services and political environments in the world has long been based on the findings of the regular surveys carried out by the global organisation Transparency International.This country consistently ranks among the top three or four for perceived corruption.“Perceived” is the operative word. TI’s Corruption Perceptions Index has never been purported to be more than a measure of how the people in one country feel about the government offic...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket starts week down 0.8%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 13,351.92, down 115.34 points or 0.86%.

Graham Skellern 6:10pm

Property

Du Val pair ordered to pay costs

The Clarkes are to pay the markets regulator following the asset seizure hearing.

Maria Slade 1:00pm

Property

Auckland developer collapse leaves $40m in debt

Between all firms, debts with the IRD are about $25 million.

Gregor Thompson 11:56am

Auckland developer collapse leaves $40m in debt

Sponsored

The risks of powering New Zealand’s data boom

Sydney has curbed data centres to save power and water. Can New Zealand plan more wisely?

Dentons

Sponsored

Spedding Rd powers Auckland growth

$56m in new infrastructure unlocks business opportunities.

Oyster Capital Spedding Road

More Public sector

News in Brief

Govt agencies must assess wider benefit to NZ under new procurement rules

Staff reporters 09 Oct 2025

News in Brief

NZ Post may cut mail deliveries and outlets

The Government has eased New Zealand Post’s minimum service obligations, cutting mail delivery frequency and further shrinking its retail network.Under a revised Postal Deed of Understanding, urban and PO Box deliveries might decrease from three to two days a week, while rural de...

Staff reporters 07 Oct 2025