The Green Party wants the top-level political discussions that go on behind Cabinet doors to be more open to public scrutiny.
The party's Open Government policy, released on Monday 3 November, calls for Cabinet transparency, a code of conduct for MPs, a limit on political party donations and a register of lobbyists.
Many of these concerns echo a report on New Zealand by Transparency International five years ago.
Transparency International generally rated New Zealand highly, but found it wanting in several respects, including the power MMP gives to small parties, and the intense lobbying it invites on behalf of special interest groups seeking favours.
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says New Zealanders are too often kept in the dark about decisions that are made on their behalf.
He told Checkpoint that minutes and decisions from Cabinet should be made public within a month, unless there were security concerns.
Mr Norman says the Official Information Act also needs to be tightened up.
"Time and again government departments and ministers do try to get around the Official Information Act, and we think that should be tightened up as well to make sure we actually do have access to information governments are using. We need an open government, it is our democracy."
