Dr Bryce Edwards: Political corruption in NZ can’t be tackled with a softly, softly approach

You might not have noticed, but another report has been put out about the dangers of corruption in the New Zealand political system. Released precisely two weeks ago by Transparency International New Zealand, their research is merely the latest warning about rising corruption to be published and ignored.

Bob Jones: Political corruption

We claim to be a democracy in which equal participation in the political process is open to everyone. It’s simply not true and has never been.

Huge financial advantages lie with existing Parliamentary Parties, notably in travel expenses used for campaigning in election years, paid by the taxpayer plus diverse other ways, not available to proposed new parties.

Bryce Edwards: Faafoi’s lobbying position should be illegal

Probably the most corrupt and broken part of the New Zealand political system is the role of corporate lobbyists influencing policy decisions of governments on behalf of vested interests. This is a group of political insiders – usually former politicians, party staffers or senior Beehive officials – who work at the centre of power and then depart with inside knowledge and networks that they can leverage to help corporate clients influence government policy.

It’s known as a “revolving door” in which corporate interests can prosper through having insiders who move backwards and forwards in and out of the Beehive and other positions of influence. It’s a growth industry in Wellington.