Transparent foreign lobbying

Concerns about foreign influence in domestic politics have grown as lobbying, political donations, and advocacy campaigns become more globally connected. In New Zealand, lobbying itself is not comprehensively regulated, and there is no single public register requiring lobbyists to disclose who they represent or how they are funded. This has led to periodic debate about transparency, accountability, and the risk of external actors shaping public policy without public visibility. Strong transparency is essential for maintaining trust in democratic institutions and ensuring policymakers and the public understand who is behind advocacy efforts. However, overly stringent or broad requirements may discourage legitimate international engagement or create unnecessary compliance burdens.