A corruption watchdog says New Zealand's international business reputation is at stake unless measures are taken to curb what appears to be a growing incidence of bribery and corruption.
A survey by Transparency International found 3.4% of New Zealanders have paid a bribe to a public official, such as police, court and customs officers, in the last year.
Three quarters of those surveyed believe corruption is on the rise.
Transparency International director Alex Tan says it is an alarming result and contrasts with a poll taken last month, that placed New Zealand as the country perceived as having the lowest level of public sector corruption.
Mr Tan says these issues need be addressed to ensure New Zealand maintains its international reputation as a corruption-free country to do business with.
He says the Government should ensure it has proper ethical guidelines and anti-corruption measures in place across the whole of the public sector.
