New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key Smiles After the General Election in Auckland.
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key smiles after the general election in Auckland November 26, 2011. Reuters/Stringer

New Zealand was beaten by Denmark in the list of least corrupt countries in the world. Transparency International has ranked New Zealand in second place for least perceived corruption in government. In 2013, New Zealand was at the top of the Corruption Perceptions Index together with Denmark in a tie.

The index scores were compiled in July before New Zealand's election campaign which was marred by scandal and controversy because of Kim Dotcom's Moment of Truth announcement and release of Nicky Hager's Dirty Politics, according to 3News. Transparency International ranked 175 countries based on the presence of corruption in the public sector. New Zealand retained its score of 91 from last year. Denmark moved up in the rankings because its score is higher by one point at 92 out of 100 points. Australia dropped out from the top 10 list at eleventh place.

Suzanne Snively, chair of Transparency International New Zealand, believes New Zealand did not make it to the top this year, 2014, since it failed to ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption. She added that New Zealand companies are exposed to corrupt practices with increased dealings with countries like China and India. Snively speculated that New Zealand may also be trading with other countries with reputations that are "not sound as ours," the report said.

New Zealand continues to have a strong track record when it comes to having an open and transparent government as indicated by the recent Corruption Index. Justice Minister Amy Adams revealed that the legislation to include New Zealand in the ratification of the UN convention is now in the select committee stage.

The justice minister also said the government has passed several anti-corruption policies within the year. The bill to prevent match-fixing in football and cricket, and the agreement to share information between the police and the Inland Revenue were among them.

North Korea and Somalia were ranked as the most corrupt countries in the world with a score of 8 out of 100 points. More than two thirds of the 175 countries scored below 50. Singapore is notable for being the only nation in Asia to make it to the top 10 with a score of 84.

Transparency International Corruption Index - Top 10 Least Corrupt

1. Denmark 92

2. New Zealand 91

3. Finland 89

4. Sweden 87

5. Norway 86

6. Switzerland 86

7. Singapore 84

8. Netherlands 83

9. Luxembourg 82

10. Canada 81