Cross-agency update on Manurewa Marae enquiries
Joint statement – NZ Police, Serious Fraud Office, Public Service Commission
In June 2024 NZ Police commenced an investigation into allegations of misuse of Census 2023 data and Covid-19 vaccination information at Manurewa Marae.
At the same time, at the request of the Prime Minister and Minister for the Public Service the Public Service Commission (PSC) convened a wider government response to the reported concerns, leading to a series of agency inquiries and investigations.
NZ Police can now confirm it has found insufficient evidence to establish criminal culpability for corruption in relation to the Manurewa Marae matter.
The matter has also been reviewed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) after NZ Police in April 2025 referred their investigation file for an independent assessment under the SFO’s mandate.
Following a detailed review, the SFO concurs with Police findings that there are insufficient grounds to initiate a criminal investigation into serious or complex fraud, including corruption offences. Other potential offences that fall outside the SFO’s remit will continue to be handled by Police through normal processes.
NZ Police commenced an investigation in June 2024 into a range of potential offences and focused primarily on the allegation that personal census information had been inappropriately used for political campaigning. Police engaged with the Electoral Commission on potential electoral law breaches, and in April 2025 referred its investigation file to the SFO for independent assessment.
The SFO is engaging with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC), which is carrying out an ongoing inquiry into potential privacy breaches.
The SFO will also continue to work closely with Police and other agencies to ensure that serious or complex fraud, including corruption, is exposed and dealt with wherever it occurs.
The PSC’s inquiry found agencies failed to implement safeguards and rules for ensuring personal information was protected. A comprehensive work programme has been put in place to address the findings.
Key details and timeline of enquiries
- June 2024 – NZ Police launch investigation focused primarily on whether private census information was corruptly used for political campaigning.
- June 2024 – Inquiry into the protection of personal information(external link) (PSC Media Release)
- February 2025 – Stats NZ is apologising for failing to keep New Zealanders’ information safe(external link) (StatsNZ Media Release)
- February 2025 – Findings of inquiry into protection of personal information released(external link) (PSC Media Release)
- April 2025 – NZ Police referred matter to the SFO for an independent assessment of the most serious allegations under the SFO’s mandate.
- September 2025 – NZ Police concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish corruption or pursue further investigative steps such as search warrants.
- September 2025 – SFO assessment concludes that there were insufficient grounds to progress to a criminal investigation into serious or complex fraud. A key factor impeding investigation is the legal requirement to establish the involvement of an official in respect of the use or disclosure of official information.