The Commerce Commission enforces legislation that promotes competition in New Zealand markets. It prohibits misleading and deceptive conduct by traders. And has a wide range of enforcement responsibilities that includes prosecutions under the Fair Trading Act, Commerce Act and Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.

The Crown Law Office provides legal advice and representation to the Government, particularly in the areas of criminal, public and administrative law.

The Inland Revenue Department collects most of the revenue the Government needs to fund its programmes. Responsible for investigating and prosecuting tax frauds, it also administers a number of social support programmes.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs develops consumer policy, including, consumer protection and product safety, and administers a range of legislation related to consumers. It also maintains Scamwatch – a website that provides consumers with information on current scams, as well as advice on how to protect and safeguard against scam attempts.

The Ministry of Economic Development advises the Government and implements policy in relation to a wide range of economic issues. It has many regulatory responsibilities, including enforcement of the Companies Act, Insolvency Act and Financial Reporting Act.

The Ministry of Social Development is responsible for the statutory care and protection of children and young people, youth justice services, adoption services and funding to community service providers. It administers a benefit system that has integrity and minimises the debt levels to New Zealand taxpayers. It takes prosecutions against individuals who commit benefit fraud.

The National Enforcement Unit (NEU) is part of the Ministry of Economic Development. It investigates and, where appropriate, prosecutes, offences under various legislation on behalf of the Official Assignee, the Registrar of Companies and the Registrar of Motor Vehicle Traders. The NEU also prepares banned director reports on behalf of the Registrar of Companies.

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for reducing crime and increasing community safety. Search here for the Police station nearest you.

The Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) is an agency within the New Zealand Police. It is tasked with investigating and disrupting organised crime, working with information and resources from across government. OFCANZ targets groups and individuals who pose the greatest threat to New Zealand (including criminal groups that work across Police district boundaries, nationally and/or internationally). 

The Financial Markets Authority was formed in 2011 under the Financial Markets Authority Act 2011 and replaces the Securities Commission. Its job is to promote and facilitate the development of fair, efficient and transparent financial markets. It has a range of responsibilities and powers, including investigating potential breaches of financial markets conduct legislation and taking appropriate enforcement action. The FMA works with other agencies, including the Serious Fraud Office, the Commerce Commission and the Police as well as overseas agencies.

The Companies Office is part of the Ministry of Economic Development and administers director details, company addresses and shareholder details.

ASIC is Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator. It contributes to Australia’s economic reputation by ensuring financial markets are fair and transparent. ASIC is an independent Commonwealth Government body set up to administer the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act (ASIC Act). Most of its work falls under the umbrella of the Corporations Act.

The Fraud Section of the DOJ investigates and prosecutes complex white-collar crime, including mass-market investment fraud and corrupt practices.

The FBI is an agency of the Department of Justice. It has a wide range of criminal investigation and prosecution responsibilities, including public corruption, organised crime, and white-collar crime (money laundering, securities and commodities fraud, bank fraud and embezzlement, and fraud against the government).

The UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was established two years prior to the NZ SFO (1988) and operates in a very similar capacity. Much like New Zealand’s SFO, it is an independent Government department with reporting responsibility to the Attorney General.