Report serious fraud and corruption

Anti-Corruption Taskforce Pilot

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO), supported by the New Zealand Police and the Public Service Commission, is leading a joint Anti-Corruption Taskforce. 

The Taskforce will deliver a six-month pilot programme that will aim to build a clearer, system wide picture of corruption and fraud risks across the public service. Insights gathered will guide smarter prevention, sharper detection and where necessary stronger enforcement.

Strengthening integrity across New Zealand’s public sector 

Why this pilot? 

New Zealand consistently ranks as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, but emerging threats such as insider threats, foreign interference and AI-enabled fraud mean we cannot be complacent. By bringing frontline agencies and enforcement partners together, this pilot will help to build a clearer intelligence picture of the threats that face our public sector.  

Who is involved? 

The Anti-Corruption Taskforce is led by the SFO through its Counter Fraud Centre, in partnership with New Zealand Police and the Public Service Commission. A multidisciplinary team comprising investigators, intelligence analysts and data specialists has been assembled from across government to support the initiative. 

Six central government agencies are participating in the pilot. These were selected to reflect a range of organisational sizes, functions and risk profiles, ensuring the pilot produces meaningful and balanced insights for the wider public sector. The participating agencies are: 

  • Inland Revenue (IRD) 

  • Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) 

  • Department of Corrections 

  • Ministry of Social Development (MSD) 

  • Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) 

  • Sport New Zealand 

Pilot Timeline 

  • July–September 2025 – Agencies complete self-assessments and supply data. 

  • October - December 2025 – Taskforce analyses results, drafts findings, and prepares advice to Ministers and a public report outlining trends, gaps and recommended actions. 

What happens after the pilot? 

The findings will set a baseline for future integrity work across government. They will inform: 

  • targeted support from the SFO Counter Fraud Centre; 

  • refinements to agency risk frameworks and controls; and 

  • priorities for enforcement and policy development.  

The findings will inform advice to Ministers on approaches to improving agency and system resilience, including the potential to extend the assessment programme to other public sector entities. 

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