State of Sustainability Reporting Assurance in New Zealand

DOI: 10.5176/2251-1997_AF17.58

Authors: Azadeh (Azi) Nilipour, Tracy-Anne De Silva and Jamal Roudaki

Abstract:

This research examines the present status of sustainability reporting assurance including the quality of sustainability reporting assurance statements in New Zealand – a country with a voluntary environment for both sustainability reporting and its assurance. The research undertakes a longitudinal content analysis of 85 sustainability reporting assurance statements, published by ten companies listed on New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) in 2013. The result from the research suggests that not only the number of companies listed on NZX in 2013 engaged in sustainability reporting assurance has increased, but also there has been a quality growth trend over the research period. Further, the highest quality assurance statements were assured by consultants – who were also the dominant assurers – closely followed by the Big 4. This research provides an update of sustainability reporting assurance state for organizations, assurers, authorities and standard setters.

Keywords: sustainability reporting assurance; assurance statement; assurance statement quality; content analysis; longitudinal; New Zealand.