Tackling Fraud and Corruption in the Pacific
Our mission is to disrupt and deter serious fraud and corruption through prevention, investigation, and prosecution. By protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic and financial wellbeing, we also strengthen the resilience of our Pacific neighbours.
Through our Pacific Approach, we aim to advance our core activities while supporting a system-wide response to serious fraud and corruption across the Pacific region.
Our role in the Pacific
New Zealand’s connection and engagement with Pacific Island nations are guided by key international and regional agreements, including:
- The United Nations Convention against Corruption
- The Biketawa and Boe Declarations
- The Teieniwa Vision, endorsed by Pacific Island Leaders to unite against corruption
These agreements establish New Zealand’s role in combating serious fraud and corruption in the Pacific. The SFO is committed to this mission, recognising that New Zealand’s economic and financial wellbeing is closely tied to the prosperity of the Pacific region. Addressing corruption risks strengthens the Blue Pacific Continent and protects Pacific countries, including New Zealand, from becoming targets of serious fraud.
Our Pacific Engagement Framework
As a highly specialised agency, the SFO’s resources are carefully managed to maximise our impact. Our Pacific Approach provides a decision-making framework on how we can best contribute to Pacific anti-corruption efforts and requests for support while maintaining the focus on our core activities in New Zealand.
Our Pacific Approach is informed by five key considerations:
- Our Mandate - We assess whether a request aligns with our mission to prevent, investigate, or prosecute serious fraud and corruption.
- Strategic Priorities - Requests are evaluated for alignment with our strategic priorities, such as case impact, prevention, strengthening connections, future-proofing capabilities, and our Strategic Areas of Focus.
- Regional Focus - We prioritise requests that support New Zealand’s international obligations and promote regional partnerships for a system-wide response.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis - We evaluate the potential costs and risks to the SFO, New Zealand, and Pacific partners, including the impact on resources, funding, and personnel.
- Alignment with Partners - We ensure our activities align with the efforts of Pacific nations, New Zealand agencies, and international development partners.
Key Partnerships and Initiatives
Our Pacific Approach aligns us with other key organisations operating in the Pacific, including:
- New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade(external link): Coordinating efforts to support Pacific resilience.
- Te Whare Pasifika – Public Service Fale(external link): Supporting governance and public sector capability in the Pacific.
- Office of the Auditor-General New Zealand(external link): Supporting and promoting the transparent, accountable, effective and efficient use of public sector resources in the Pacific.
- Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions(external link) (PASAI): Working with PASAI to enhance transparency and accountability.
- UNODC Pacific Islands Office(external link): Partnering with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to combat corruption.
An example of our work in this area is the SFO's delivery of training workshops in 2024, facilitated by the Public Service Fale, for the Kiribati Public Service Office (PSO). These workshops focused on building anti-corruption and investigative capabilities. Read more here(external link).
Get involved
Through partnerships and strategic action, we are proud to contribute to the collective effort to combat serious fraud and corruption in the Pacific. For more information or to discuss how we can help, please contact us at