Why New Zealand needs a lobbying stand-down period – By the PRINZ Executive Committee
The “revolving door” between government and lobbying firms is weakening public confidence and inviting undue influence. While Ministers are subject to a loose three-month stand-down expectation, there are currently no formal restrictions at all for parliamentary staffers, despite their deep involvement in policymaking and privileged access to information.
The Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) believes that both Ministers and Beehive staff should be subject to a mandatory, legally enforceable stand-down period before taking up lobbying roles.
- Prevent conflicts of interest
When someone leaves a senior Beehive role knowing they can immediately profit from policy decisions they helped shape, the impartiality of our public service is compromised.
Take the example of a former Cabinet Minister who left politics in mid-2022 and quickly established a lobbying firm. While there is a three-month stand-down expectation for former Ministers, it’s a convention, not a rule, and it didn’t prevent him from setting up his firm or capitalising on his networks almost immediately.
This clearly demonstrates how toothless the current approach is, and why change is needed.
- Protect democratic integrity
Immediate transitions create perceptions of “mates lobbying mates.” The public needs to see that decisions aren’t for sale to the highest-paid, well-connected former staffer.
- Safeguard privileged information
Parliamentary staff have access to sensitive negotiations and draft policy. A stand-down window ensures that confidential insights lose commercial value before someone switches sides.
- Reflect international best practice
- United States: One-to-two-year cooling-off for senior officials
- United Kingdom: Two-year stand-down for ministers (ACOBA-overseen)
- Canada: Five-year period for senior office holders
A one to two-year stand-down would bring New Zealand in line with international best practice. This timeframe is long enough to blunt the immediate advantage of insider ties, reduce the risk of conflicts, and allow sensitive information to lose relevance – without unnecessarily penalising future career opportunities.
“Neither politicians nor staffers should be allowed to resign and immediately move into roles as private lobbyists.”
— PRINZ Executive Committee
We urge Parliament to legislate a mandatory stand-down for all former Ministers and Beehive employees.
It’s time to restore faith in fair, transparent advocacy, and to ensure that policy serves public interest, not private gain.
