New Zealand ranked eighth out of 113 countries surveyed in the sixth annual Rule of Law Index published by the World Justice Project.

This was down from sixth out of 103 countries surveyed in 2015.

Nordic countries topped the 2016 index, with Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden taking out the top four spots.

New Zealand was the top ranked country in the East Asia and Pacific Region, followed by Singapore.

World Justice Project says New Zealand’s government agencies courts are “efficient, transparent, and free of corruption” while constraints on government powers are effective and fundamental powers are strongly protected.

However, while the WJP says New Zealand’s judicial system is independent and effective, it adds there are relative weaknesses in the areas of accessibility of civil justice for marginalised populations.

New Zealand’s ranking for criminal justice fell to 13^th in 2016 (from a previous ranking of 8^th)  with WJP saying effectiveness of criminal investigations and equal treatment of criminal suspects stand out as areas in need of attention.

The criteria

WSP says the index measures rule of law based on the experiences and perceptions of the general public and in-country experts worldwide. It provides scores and rankings based on eight factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice.

“Effective rule of law reduces corruption, combats poverty and disease and protects people from injustices large and small. It is the foundation for communities of peace, opportunity and equity – underpinning development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights,” WJP says in the report accompanying the 2016 index.

World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Top 10, 2016

*Scores range from 0 to 1, with 1 indicating the strongest adherence to the rule of law. Scoring is based on answers drawn from a representative sample of 1,000 respondents in the three largest cities per country and a set of in-country legal practitioners and academics.

New Zealand Scores and ranking, World Justice Project, Rule of Law Index 2016