Transparency reigns

New Zealand has tied with Denmark and Singapore for first place as the world’s least corrupt governments and public sectors, according to watchdog group Transparency International (TI). Finland, Sweden, Canada, Netherlands, Australia, Switzerland and Norway round out the top 1. Germany ranks 15, Japan is at 17, and the United Kingdom ranked 2. The index drew on 13 expert and business surveys and was conducted between January 29 and September 21. Transparency International captures information about the administrative and political aspects of corruption. This includes questions relating to bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds and questions that probe the strength and effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts.