New Zealand Country Summary
Sanctions
Lower Concern
FATF AML Deficient List
Lower Concern
Terrorism
Medium Concern
Corruption
Lower Concern
US State ML Assessment
Lower Concern
Criminal Markets (GI Index)
Medium Concern
EU Tax Blacklist
Lower Concern
Offshore Finance Center
Lower Concern
Please note that although the below Summary will give a general outline of the AML risks associated with the jurisdiction, if you are a Regulated entity then you may need to demonstrate that your Jurisdictional AML risk assessment has included a full assessment of the risk elements that have been identified as underpinning overall Country AML risk. To satisfy these requirements, we would recommend that you use our Subscription area.
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Anti Money Laundering
FATF Status
New Zealand is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies
Compliance with FATF Recommendations
The latest Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in New Zealand was undertaken in 2021. According to that Evaluation, New Zealand was deemed Compliant for 8 and Largely Compliant for 20 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was deemed Highly effective for 2 and Substantially Effective for 4 of the Effectiveness & Technical Compliance ratings.
Sanctions
There are no international sanctions currently in force against this country
Criminality
Rating |
0 (bad) - 100 (good) |
|---|---|
| Transparency International Corruption Index | 83 |
| World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank | 99 |
New Zealand is recognized for its low corruption levels, supported by strict penalties for bribery and active participation in international anti-corruption agreements. While the country faces challenges such as human trafficking and drug-related crimes, it maintains a stable governance structure and effective law enforcement. Additionally, New Zealand's developed economy presents vulnerabilities to financial crimes, but the government is committed to enhancing transparency and combating organized crime.
Economy
New Zealand's economy in 2023 was characterized by sluggish GDP growth and high inflation, exacerbated by global factors such as the war in Ukraine, which increased food and fuel prices. The new center-right coalition government has focused on creating a business-friendly environment by repealing recent labor laws and signaling intentions to loosen foreign investment restrictions, despite ongoing challenges like supply chain security and a tight labor market.
New Zealand maintains an open and transparent investment climate, encouraging foreign investment while applying some restrictions in critical areas such as land and significant business assets. The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) screens foreign investments, ensuring they align with national interests, and foreign investors are treated equally to domestic ones. The government is committed to creating a business-friendly environment, with plans to loosen restrictions on foreign investment in 2024.
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- Risk Analysis
- Corruption
- Economy
- Sanctions
- Narcotics
- Executive Summaries
- Investment Climates
- FATF Status
- Compliance
- Key Findings