An integrity group has started a project to help keep New Zealand corruption-free.

 The group of New Zealand business and justice organisations has developed anti-corruption training courses, to be launched in Auckland today.

The group includes BusinessNZ, ExportNZ, Serious Fraud Office, Transparency International, Deloitte, Chapman Tripp, Institute of Directors and NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The material for the courses was donated pro bono by the Serious Fraud Office, Transparency International (free online training), Deloitte and Chapman Tripp (free online and in-person training).

 The training courses aim to raise awareness of the risk of corrupt practice and to help businesses and other organisations deal with such practice by others.

 More international dealings by New Zealand businesses and organisations means many could now be exposed to unethical business practice in other countries.

Exporters, importers and those with business partners in other countries might be operating in areas where bribes or kickbacks are common and need to know how to avoid being drawn into such dealings.

New Zealand has a valuable reputation of being corruption-free, being ranked first equal in the world for freedom from corruption, according to Transparency International surveys.

 “Our freedom from corruption is of immense value to New Zealand businesses and the New Zealand brand, and the anti-corruption training will help maintain this standing,” BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly said.

 After the initial launch of the initiative training courses will be run through the country by the member organisations involved.